One of my favourite country classics (bear in mind I'm British so American
country has an exotic element that would be lost on Yanks) is Merle Haggard's
Okie from Muskogee. First time I heard it I took it straight as a conservative
Yank protesting about the permissive hippie culture. The second time I heard it
I thought what an idiot I'd been - it was *obviously* a satire taking the
mickey out of straight-laced country fans. Later I realised that what makes the
song so appealing is precisely its ambiguity. It isn't offering a neat
resolution but leaves you understanding that life isn't interested in
accommodating our preconceived notions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb41WPXYlQc&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb41WPXYlQc&feature=player_embedded
