Country music songs seem to fall into some predictable categories - drinking, busted romances, family, cheating (which leads to busted romances), and a few others. But there are also some country songs that defy categorization. They are beloved simply for their very weirdness. We want to share some of them with you in the hope that you will appreciate their odd beauty and pass them along. Here are four of the strangest country songs we have come across. Even their titles are endearingly bizarre.
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"You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
The title of this song alone is enough to stoke a listener's curiosity. American Songwriter described it as "a duet about a couple who are broke, homely, and a little bit trashy. But they love their family all the same." Let's dig a little deeper.
This song was recorded in 1978 by the gifted pair. Lynn and Twitty were champs when it came to duets. Per Soundscaping Source, "From 1971 to 1988, Lynn and Twitty released 11 studio albums and 12 singles. On stage, they displayed a strong musical connection that captivated audiences. Their famous performances of love songs even led others to assume they were married. Eventually, they became the most awarded duo in country music." This funny tune about a couple that good-naturedly ribs each other cemented that stature.
"Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog" by Johnny Cash
Maybe this should be seen as a humorous novelty tune from Cash, also known as The Man In Black. It certainly is peculiar. Per the outlet, "The lyrical content of this song is innocent enough. It follows the story of an old shaggy dog who keeps killing a man's chickens and stealing their eggs. Not a lot of depth there, no secret meaning. It's just a song about a dirty old egg-suckin' dog."
This heartfelt comment about Cash's song is on YouTube. It brought a grin to my face and a tear to my eye. "I sang this to my dog a few years ago before the vet had to put him down. Just found out that my other dog has liver cancer and had to be put down. I'll be thinking of them whenever I listen to this song. Man, I'll miss those dogs. They caused a lot of headaches, but also so much damn joy." No matter how they misbehave, we love out canines and grieve deeply for them when they pass. Even if they do gobble up our precious chickens and their eggs.
"Pissin' In The Wind" by Jerry Jeff Walker
This 1975 song from the songwriter who crafted "Mr. Bojangles," (which was covered by artists as diverse and prominent as Jim Croce, Neil Diamond, and Sammy Davis Jr.,) is about doing something even through it is seemingly futile. It belongs in a place of honor on any credible list of the strangest country music songs.
It's a little bit crude, and a whole lot country.
"Why Don't We Get Drunk" by Jimmy Buffett
This song from 1973 by the famed "Margaritaville" troubadour is pretty upfront about what its message is. It's in keeping with Buffett's theme of hedonistic fun in the sun. Rather than a roll in the hay, it talks about a roll on the water bed. The song is on the album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. I love that title, which is among the all-time grandest, most glorious, and totally goofiest album handles in recorded music history. Leave it to Buffett.
