1969 Song of the Day is- Okie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard. The song- which became Merle Haggard’s ‘signature’ song was written by Merle and his drummer Roy Edward Burris. It went to #1 on the US country charts where it stayed for 4 weeks. It just missed making the Billboard Top 40- peaking at #41. The single and the album of the same name was named the single and album of the year 1970 by the Country Music Association. While is is no doubt Merle’s most famous song -it isn’t even close to being his best.
A controversial song- Haggard said he wrote the song in support of the troops who were over fighting in Vietnam and he had been disheartened by the anti-war protests in the US. It has also been felt by some that Haggard wrote this redneck anthem as a spoof. They started to write the song when the tour bus had stopped in Muskogee. Later after the song became a hit he went back and performed- and recorded an album live from Muskogee.
The Youngbloods released an answer song- Hippie From Olema. Olema being a liberal minded city in California.
slicethelife 
Love me some Merle❣️
I’ve always wondered if it was a spoof or not…You are right it’s not his best. Never heard the Youngbloods song.
I am thinking that his attitude on the song changed over the years. I have a feeling years later he might have regretted the song.
Yes I agree with you. Many people’s attitude changed after they found out more information.
It also I think became a pain to him- when I saw him in the early 2000’s- he played the song- I am sure every concert from its release he had to play it- and he was out on the road until the end.
You know, at times it turns out that someone’s “signature” song is sometimes one of their weaker songs…or their only number one etc.
He had to be tired of it.
One of the few concerts I’ve been to where the performers didn’t play their signature song was Los Lobos and La Bamba. Of course it was a cover but it was their big hit.
The last time I saw Dylan was the only time he didn’t do Like a Rolling Stone…of course I didn’t care…with him all bets are off.
Reminds me of ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, the most overplayed Benatar song in history. Yuck.
Yes radio can kill songs
I’d like to tweak that statement a bit…
“Radio can kill you with a song, over & over & over, again.”
A slow torturous death.
I agree- not her best but probably her biggest hit.
I remember when Merle’s song came out and yes, it was controversial at the time. I like it even if I don’t like all of the lyrics to it. I never heard the answering song before…
I had never heard the answer song- or was aware of it even until this morning..
It was an OK song. I love his impersonations: