Merle Haggard – Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)

About the song

“Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)” is a country song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard. It was released in May 1982 as the third single from his album Big City. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.

The song is a lament for the passing of the good old days, when things were simpler and life was better. Haggard sings about a time when a dollar was still silver, cars lasted for ten years, and women could still cook. He also references the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the rise of inflation as evidence that the world has gone downhill.

The song’s message of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time resonated with many listeners, and it became one of Haggard’s signature songs. It has been covered by many other artists, including Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Alan Jackson.

The song is a classic example of Haggard’s songwriting style. It is simple, yet powerful, and it captures the zeitgeist of a time when many Americans were feeling disillusioned with the state of the country. The song’s message of nostalgia is still relevant today, and it continues to be a popular choice for country music fans of all ages.

Here are some of the key themes explored in the song:

• Nostalgia: The song is a lament for the passing of the good old days, when things were simpler and life was better. Haggard sings about a time when a dollar was still silver, cars lasted for ten years, and women could still cook.

• Social commentary: The song also references the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the rise of inflation as evidence that the world has gone downhill. Haggard’s lyrics express his disillusionment with the state of the country and his longing for a simpler time.

• The American Dream: The song also explores the theme of the American Dream. Haggard sings about the importance of hard work and self-reliance, and he expresses his belief that the American Dream is still attainable for those who are willing to work for it.

“Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)” is a powerful and moving song that captures the zeitgeist of a time when many Americans were feeling disillusioned with the state of the country. The song’s message of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time is still relevant today, and it continues to be a popular choice for country music fans of all ages.

Video

Lyrics

“Are The Good Times Really Over”

 

I wish a buck was still silver
It was back when the country was strong
Back before Elvis
Before the Vietnam war came along

Before The Beatles and ‘Yesterday’
When a man could still work, still would
The best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?

Are we rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell?
With no kind of chance
For the Flag or the Liberty Bell

Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Could still last ten years, like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

I wish Coke was still Cola
And a joint was a bad place to be
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV

Before microwave ovens
When a girl could still cook and still would
The best of the free life behind us now
Are the good times really over for good?

Are we rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell?
With no kind of chance
For the Flag or the Liberty Bell

Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Could still last ten years, like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

Stop rolling down hill
Like a snowball headed for Hell
Stand up for the Flag
And let’s all ring the Liberty Bell

Let’s make a Ford and a Chevy
Still last ten years like they should
The best of the free life is still yet to come
The good times ain’t over for good