Love songs, epics, ballads, easy-listners, and honky tonk boot stompers are types of songs that frequent the country music airwaves. However, among those types of tunes exists another type that is often overshadowed and overlooked, and that is the good ol’ joke song. In contemporary country music, audiences are rarely ever given a song that utilizes comedy. However, once upon a time, it was a fairly common practice.
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Joke songs have always been a storied tradition in country music. Although, as the times have changed, so has their relevancy. However, we are here to remind you about some of the funniest joke songs in country music history. So, here are three country music joke songs that will surely make you chuckle!
“Fraternity Blues” by Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt is one of the most prolifically poetic songwriters of all time, but his talents did not just reside in dramatic country music poetry. In 1977, Van Zandt released the live album Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas, which featured the hilarious joke song “Fraternity Blues”.
Per the title, Van Zandt tells the story of his failed attempts to join a fraternity. Evidently, the song makes fun of the formality and ridiculous rigidness within a fraternity. However, we won’t try to explain how Van Zandt’s makes one laugh, but here is a line for reference: “I’m no trouble causer and besides I figured that’s life / If you want good friends it gonna cost you.”
“Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart” by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash has always leaned into melancholy and somberness, and he does so on “Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart”. However, contrary to his other heartbreak songs, Cash does not take the sentiment seriously in the slightest on this 1968 single.
While his delivery is what mainly makes the song comical, the other facet that makes this song hilarious is that Cash is seemingly personifying himself as a piece of trash. A literal piece of trash that is. Our analysis probably won’t make you laugh, but Cash’s country music comedic single surely will.
“The Streak” by Ray Stevens
Not many musicians made an entire career off of joke songs, but one who has is the country musician, Ray Stevens. Ray Stevens has a lot of comedic songs in his arsenal, but his biggest hit is the song “The Streak”. Which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
You might have guessed it, but Stevens’ smash hit is about a serial streaker in a small southern town. It’s fun, it’s raunchy, and it tells a hilarious story, with all of its details in full. Quite frankly, it’s ridiculous, but that is what makes it downright hilarious.
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