CCSN Memories – Merle Haggard Gets A Controversial #1

Merle Haggard has never stepped away from a fight. He is a man of his beliefs and what he believes, he seems to believe quite strongly. It was on this date in 1969 there were quite a few chins wagging about the latest number one song from Merle Haggard. It was a song that would become Merle's signature hit.

The Vietnam war was in the headlines everyday. There were protest across the country. The number one song on country radio was Okie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard. The song laments a middle America point of view about being an American.

In 1969 I was 7 years old. I didn't know what burning a draft card was all about. I didn't know what smoking marijuana was all about. People with long hair were called girls and as far as I was concerned LSD was a school in Louisiana. I was just a small kid growing up in a small town that still held on to more traditional values. Merle Haggard was a  hero in our house.

It's easy to see why this song could have been a polarizing depending upon your point of view. Merle said in an interview that he didn't intend for the song to be taken as seriously as it was but he was grateful that his tune got the country talking.

It was on this date in 1969 Okie From Muskogee was the number one song in country music.