When your spurs are jingling, and your lasso fingers are itching, there is only one place to go: Down to the saloon in the center of town, where they hold karaoke night every week. Duh! But what to sing when you walk through those swinging doors?
That’s exactly what we wanted to dive into below. We wanted to examine three country songs from back in the day that would make for the perfect choice at your next country karaoke jam. Indeed, these are three country songs from the 1960s that are tailor-made for your next karaoke night.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Jackson” by Johnny Cash and June Carter from ‘Carryin’ On With Johnny Cash And June Carter’ (1967)
It’s not often, but there are occasions when you step up to the karaoke dais and want to sing a duet. Well, if that’s the case here, then fire up “Jackson” by the first couple of country Johnny Cash and June Carter. Sing about traveling and heading into the city, harmonize with your partner as if you are two restless souls in love—or at least bickering music stars!
“Stand By Your Man” by Tammy Wynette from ‘Stand By Your Man’ (1968)
Speaking of married life, country star Tammy Wynette makes her own commentary on the subject here in this country song of unabashed loyalty. People make mistakes, men do dumb things. But that is no reason to throw out the good with the bad, says Wynette. Even though your man is a numbskull, don’t toss him out with the trash. Good advice when sung over a pedal steel!
“Crazy” by Patsy Cline from ‘Showcase’ (1961)
Now, if after all that romantic advice, you feel a little crazy, then Patsy Cline is your gal to sort it all out! Singing this Willie Nelson-penned tune, Cline understands us. It’s as if she’s in our minds, pulling the lyrics of the track out of our psyches. Living is hard, Cline knows it. And she belts out this classic track all about it—and you can too at your next karaoke jam.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
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Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)