About The Song
In 1977 Bobby Bare recorded the witty Shel Silverstein-penned song “Redneck Hippie Romance.” The track appeared during a period when Bare was frequently interpreting Silverstein’s clever and often unconventional material. While it didn’t become one of his biggest chart singles, the song became a fan favorite for its sharp humor and playful take on cultural differences. It showcased Bare’s ability to deliver offbeat material with perfect timing and warmth.
Shel Silverstein crafted the song as a humorous look at an unlikely romance between two very different worlds. The lyrics playfully explore the clash and eventual connection between a traditional “redneck” lifestyle and the free-spirited “hippie” ethos of the era. Silverstein’s signature wordplay and observational humor turned what could have been a simple novelty idea into something more layered and entertaining, capturing the spirit of the times with a knowing wink.
Bare delivered the performance with his trademark dry wit and relaxed delivery. His deep, conversational voice was ideally suited to Silverstein’s material, allowing the humor to land naturally without forcing the joke. The arrangement kept things light and rootsy, giving the song room to breathe while supporting Bare’s storytelling style. It felt like listening to a clever friend recounting an amusing tale rather than a polished studio production.
The track fit comfortably into Bare’s long-running collaboration with Silverstein, which had already produced hits like “Marie Laveau” and “Daddy, What If.” While “Redneck Hippie Romance” may not have matched the commercial success of those earlier singles, it demonstrated Bare’s willingness to embrace quirky, intelligent songwriting that other artists might have overlooked. His commitment to strong material over trends helped define his career.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its timeless humor and sharp cultural observation. Even decades later, the playful contrast between lifestyles still resonates, and Bare’s warm interpretation keeps the track feeling fresh rather than dated. It remains a favorite among fans who appreciate country music’s tradition of clever storytelling and gentle satire.
More than forty-five years after its release, “Redneck Hippie Romance” stands as a charming example of Bobby Bare’s taste and interpretive skill. It captures a specific cultural moment while remaining entertaining on its own terms, proving that well-written humor in country music can age gracefully when delivered with the right touch.
The track continues to appear on compilations and playlists celebrating both Bare’s work and Silverstein’s songwriting legacy. What began as another strong collaboration between two creative forces remains a delightful reminder of Bare’s ability to find and champion distinctive songs that others might have missed.
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Lyric
Who was it said North is North and South is South
And never the twain shall meet?
Well, this song answers the question
Can a simple, God-fearin’, beer-drinkin’ country boy
Find happiness as a husband of a freaky, no good, psychedelic, neurotic, drug-usin’, hippie talkin’
New York City bitch?
They say a redneck and a hippie should never get married
But we just laughed and done it anyway
For a while life was fine ’cause your life’s so different from mine
But now it seems we both just ain’t got very much to say
‘Cause I realize you’ll never love Hank Williams
And I don’t like The Rolling Stones a bit
And all my friends have short hair and smoke “Lucky’s”
And all your friends have long hair and smoke shit
So go and roll yourself another reefer
And I’ll go pour myself another beer
And please don’t ask me why we can’t give it one more try
‘Cause I’m too drunk to tell you, babe
And you’re too stoned to hear
I like to dress up and look just like a rich man
And you like wearin’ jeans and lookin’ poor
And I like dancin’ slow, where the Schlitz and memories flow
And I like to drink my Coke and you like sniffin’ yours
But I keep pretending everything’s Jim Dandy
And you keep pretending everything’s far out
So just pack up your grass and shake your hippie ass
Right back up north while I stay here down south
Woah, go and roll yourself another reefer
And I’ll go and pour myself another beer
Please don’t ask me why we can’t give it one more try
‘Cause I’m too drunk to tell you, girl
And you’re too stoned to hear
Woah, roll yourself another one of them reefers
And I’ll pour myself another one of them beers
And please don’t ask me why we can’t give it one more try
‘Cause I’m too drunk to tell you, baby
And you’re too stoned to hear