John Denver with Taffy Nivert - Okie from Muskogee (1973)

In this video, John Denver was singing the Merle Haggard song "Okie from Muskogee" - not the original, though. He begins with Merle's verses, but ended the song with two parody verses written by singer-songwriter Patrick Sky:
Now, everytime I see those hippie peace freaks,
It really makes me feel like I'm a man.
If I had my way I'd join the Ku-Klux
And I'd burn them with their draft cards in their hands.
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee;
I'm proud to be a redneck from the South.
Everywhere those Wallace voters know me -
"Love me, or I'll punch you in the mouth!"
Patrick Sky is an iconic folksinger from the Greenwich Village music scene, along with Peter LaFarge, Phil Ochs, Eric Andersen and Tom Paxton. The original parody by Patrick was not sung to Merle's tune, possibly because of copyright problems.
Patrick recorded the parody along with 12 other politically incorrect explicit satires in 1971 but was turned down by most recording companies. The album finally came out on Adelphi Records label under the title of "Songs That Made America Famous" in 1973 - which actually means "Songs That Will Offend Everyone".
You can find to the full parody by Patrick Sky here: • Video .
Another version by John Denver can be found here: • Patrick Sky/ John Denv...

[@catlec39]

This appears to be footage from "The John Denver Show" which was on the BBC. He did 6 30 minute shows, and it was these TV appearances that were the start of a lot more. Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert were on each of thesa shows. Well received in England.

[@Darkasknightfall]

Miss John Denver. Another great singer.

[@jankerri1922]

To everyone criticising Taffy for 'taking the piss' whilst reckoning John was serious here.... behave! He was clearly joking about American hillbillies! John's sense of humour was fantastic!

[@USNAVDC]

I love TAFFY NIVERT'S voice. Her harmony made TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS. No one else comes close.

[@annamarcaletti1025]

MISS JOHN DENVER ❤️💓

[@annabrown9670]

LOVE AND MISS JOHN DENVER 💓

[@511robyno]

Both struggling not to laugh. Their voices so good together.

[@Counterfeit.Bower26]

I love the way they performed this with one verse of Patrick Sky's parody version at the end of it. Nice satire. This really cracks me up! "Love me or I'll punch you in the mouth..." 😂

[@waiting4aliens]

never saw this side of him, thanks for the post.

[@starlandandmore]

It's an awesome cover even if we do say so ourselves

[@FollowScripture]

Thanks Jason i just put it on our John Denver Friend List FB group!

[@Torquekiller92]

Epic turn to satire

[@Ranman1]

Your on the fighting side of him.

[@valliattaya489]

isn't that kathy danoff?

[@NoelBOwens-fd4xz]

Sounds like some Trump fans!

[@judgeparker4236]

Pew eeeeeeeeeeee! Crap.

[@namwolfhound]

Taffy is making fun of the song while John is playing it straight. I know they both used drugs (as i did in my younger days) but there is no reason to have an attitude when you do a song. It shows a lack of professionalism. Merle Haggard sung it first and did it justice as a protest against the Drug Generation and standing for Conservative America. Maybe they shouldn't have sung it if they just want to disrespect Merle. Not saying John did but Taffy sure did. Thumbs down guys.

[@ellenkomp3637]

Actually, Merle wrote the song as a parody of his father's generation. He supported marijuana legalization, as did John. veryimportantpotheads.com/haggard.html

[@prindle_poetry7521]

Fred, it appears the satire went over your head. The song is about how some who cling to such strict and conservative values, yet proclaim to be "free" are hypocritical. Also the reference to "white lightning" is also meant to point out how hypocritical it was to drink moonshine with dangerously high percentages of alcohol yet call out hippies for smoking dope or using acid.

[@FrederikFTP]

Is that why 96% of Merle's songs are filled with conservative values and Christian morality? He was as conservative as it gets, and he was not supporting marijuana legalization until he reached old age.. It's allowed to change opinions.. But the song was definately not satire from Merle's point of view..

[@claytonjennings9929]

FrederikFTP Amen to that

[@argozeclan4891]

@@FrederikFTP I whole-heartedly agree. And also @Fred Salter thanks for your comment too. Even though it's not much, thanks for sticking up for us