Ready to jam out (or maybe shed a tear to) some seriously memorable small-town celebrating country songs from 1972? If you spent your youth in rural America, these songs might already have a special place in your heart.
“Oklahoma Sunday Morning” by Glen Campbell
“Oklahoma homeward bound / I was lost, but now I’m found again / I missed you May down till September / When my hair is gray I’ll still remember / Oklahoma Sunday morning, until I die.”
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Small-town Oklahoma natives likely know this Glen Campbell gem on our list of country songs from 1972 by heart. Technically released at the tail-end of 1971, “Oklahoma Sunday Morning” became a hit in 1972. That year, it peaked at No. 15 on the Hot Country Songs chart and even came four spots shy of reaching the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.” by Donna Fargo
“You make the coffee / I’ll make the bed / I’ll fix your lunch / And you fix mine / Now tell me the truth / Do these old shoes look funny?”
This positive, uplifting tune showcases small-town American domestic life beautifully, with lyrics that celebrate the bliss of working-class love, even when couples aren’t rich in material possessions. And it comes as no surprise that this country-pop song became such a hit in 1972.
Donna Fargo made it all the way to No. 1 on the US Country chart with this tune. And “The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.” was also a crossover hit. The song made it to No. 11 on the Hot 100. This song would later be covered by the likes of Tammy Wynette, Nancy Sinatra, Tanya Tucker, and others.
“Me And Jesus” by Tom T. Hall
“We can’t afford any fancy preachin’ / We can’t afford any fancy church / We can’t afford any fancy singin’ / But you know Jesus got a lot of poor people out doin’ his work.”
This song is more of a gospel-leaning country tune. It’s one that focuses on how working-class people, often in small towns and rural areas, are devoted to their faith and helping others without big, fancy churches. “Me And Jesus” was a No. 8 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart in the US. The tune also made it to the Hot 100 at No. 98.
(Photo by Martin Mills/Getty Images)
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UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Jessi COLTER; posed, (Photo by Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns) -
Beatles tour of USA 1964. Left to right: Beatles members Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney wave to fans prior to boarding their plane at London airport for their tour of USA. 18th August 1964. (Photo by Eyles/Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) -
1967: Superstar group "Buffalo Springfield" pose for a portrait in 1967. (L-R) Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Dewey Martin, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 01: (left to right) Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke and Mick Ralphs of Bad Company perform on the BBC television show 'Top of the Pops' in June 1974. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
