Country music fans might think of the outlaw era of the genre as an era of the past. They certainly aren't wrong. But there are still plenty of songs that sound just as relevant today as they did decades ago. We picked four of our favorite outlaw country songs that still shake things up in the 21st century.
Videos by Wide Open Country
1. "A Country Boy Can Survive," Hank Williams Jr.
Hank Williams Jr. practically has country music running through his veins. The son of Hank Williams, Williams Jr. has always done his music, his way. Refusing to bow to whatever self-imposed restrictions country music has ever had, Bocephus has a history of releasing songs that say exactly what he wants, including with "A Country Boy Can Survive."
From his 1981 The Pressure Is On album, Williams Jr. sings the praises of being able to live on your own.
"I can plow a field all day long," Williams Jr. sings. "I can catch catfish from dusk 'til dawn / We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too / Ain't too many things these old boys can't do / We grow good-ole tomatoes and homemade wine / And a country boy can survive / Country folks can survive."
2. "Take This Job And Shove It," Johnny Paycheck
"Take This Job And Shove It," released by Johnny Paycheck in 1977, became the outlaw country anthem for disgruntled employees, one that still rings true almost 50 years later. But more than just a song about quitting an unsatisfying job, the song is about the cost of work-life balance, something that is even more relevant today than it was back then.
"Take This Job And Shove It" says in part, "Take this job and shove it / I ain't working here no more
My woman done left / And took all the reasons I was working for / You better not try to stand in my way / As I'm a-walking out the door / Take this job and shove it, I ain't working here no more."
3. "Mama Tried," Merle Haggard
"Mama Tried" is the title track of Merle Haggard's seventh studio album, out in 1968. Released eight years after Haggard was released from prison, the song is about lessons that should have been heeded by his mother, but weren't. It's undoubtedly at least partly autobiographical for Haggard. Still, it is just as relevant for anyone who unwisely didn't listen to their own maternal figure.
"And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole," the country artist sings. "No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried / Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied / That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried."
4. "Whiskey River," Willie Nelson
One of the main themes of country music, for better or worse, is drinking to forget your troubles. It's something Willie Nelson sings about in his outlaw anthem, "Whiskey River," one of his more notable hits.
Johnny Bush actually wrote "Whiskey River" for Nelson. Nelson included it on both his 1974 Shotgun Willie album, and his 1978 Willie and Family Live record.
"Whiskey River" begins with "Whiskey river take my mind / Don't let her memory torture me / Whiskey river don't run dry / You're all I've got, take care of me."
Nelson still sings "Whiskey River" in his live shows.
