Merle Haggard – Are the Good Times Really Over

Introduction:

Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver) is a poignant and reflective country ballad by the legendary Merle Haggard. Released in 1982 as part of the album Big City, the song captures the essence of a changing America and serves as a poignant commentary on societal shifts.

Haggard, a master storyteller and chronicler of the working class, expertly weaves a narrative of nostalgia and uncertainty. With his signature baritone voice, he delivers a heartfelt performance that resonates deeply with listeners. The song’s lyrics explore themes of economic hardship, cultural change, and the longing for a simpler past.

Produced by Joe Casey and Lewis Talley, the track features Haggard’s backing band, The Strangers, providing a solid foundation for the song’s emotional depth. The instrumentation is understated, allowing Haggard’s vocals and the lyrics to take center stage.

“Are the Good Times Really Over” became a massive hit, solidifying Haggard’s status as a country music icon. It topped the Billboard Country Singles chart and earned multiple awards, including the Single of the Year honor from the Country Music Association. The song continues to be a beloved classic, often cited as one of the greatest country songs of all time. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Haggard’s songwriting prowess and his ability to capture the hearts and minds of audiences with his honest and relatable music.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Are The Good Times Really Over”

I wish a buck was still silver
It was back when the country was strong
Back before Elvis
Before the Vietnam war came alongBefore The Beatles and ‘Yesterday’
When a man could still work, still would
The best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?

Are we rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell?
With no kind of chance
For the Flag or the Liberty Bell

Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Could still last ten years, like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

I wish Coke was still Cola
And a joint was a bad place to be
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV

Before microwave ovens
When a girl could still cook and still would
The best of the free life behind us now
Are the good times really over for good?

Are we rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell?
With no kind of chance
For the Flag or the Liberty Bell

Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Could still last ten years, like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

Stop rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell
Stand up for the Flag
And let’s all ring the Liberty Bell

Let’s make a Ford and a Chevy
Still last ten years like they should
The best of the free life is still yet to come
The good times ain’t over for good