While the Buckaroos originally featured a fiddle and retained pedal steel guitar into the 1970s, their sound on records and onstage was always more stripped-down and elemental. The band's signature style was based on simple story lines, infectious choruses, a twangy electric guitar, an insistent rhythm supplied by a prominent drum track, and high, two-part vocal harmonies featuring Owens and his guitarist Don Rich.
From 1969 to 1986, Owens co-hosted the popular CBS television variety show Hee Haw with Roy Clark (syndicated beginning in 1971). According to his son Buddy Alan (Owens), the accidental 1974 death of Rich, his best friend, devastated him for years and impacted his creative efforts until he performed with Dwight Yoakam in 1988.
Owens is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Owens was born on a farm in Sherman, Texas, United States, to Alvis Edgar Owens Sr. and Maicie Azel (née Ellington) Owens.
In the biography About Buck., Rich Kienzle writes: "'Buck' was a donkey on the Owens farm." "When Alvis Jr. was three or four years old, he walked into the house and announced that his name also was "Buck." That was fine with the family, and the boy's name became "Buck" from then on."He attended public school for grades 1–3 in Garland, Texas.
Owens' family moved to Mesa, Arizona, in 1937 during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. While attending school in Arizona, Owens found that while he disliked formal schoolwork, he could often satisfy class requirements by singing or performing in school plays. A self-taught musician and singer, Owens became proficient on guitar, mandolin, horns, and drums. When he obtained his first electric steel guitar, he taught himself to play it after his father adapted an old radio into an amplifier. Owens quit school in the ninth grade in order to help work on his father's farm and pursue a music career.
Owens had three sons: Buddy Alan (who charted several hits as a Capitol recording artist in the early 1970s and appeared with his father numerous times on Hee Haw), Johnny, and Michael Owens.
Owens successfully recovered from oral cancer in the early 1990s, but had additional health problems near the end of the 1990s and the early 2000s, including pneumonia and a minor stroke in 2004. These health problems had forced him to curtail his regular weekly performances with the Buckaroos at his Crystal Palace. Owens died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack at his ranch just north of Bakersfield on March 25, 2006, only hours after performing at his club. He was 76 years old.
Owens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. He was ranked No. 12 in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003. In addition, CMT also ranked the Buckaroos No. 2 in the network's 20 Greatest Bands in 2005. He was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The stretch of US Highway 82 in Sherman, Texas, is named the Buck Owens Freeway in his honor.
Old Faithful
Buck Owens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the next time that you called I'd tell you off
I've promised me the luxury of showing you the door
Oh I could hardly wait till I could tell you to get lost
Yes I've rehearsed every word of just what I would say
Beginning with I've had it up to here
But I know I'd be lying and soon I'd feel like dying so old faithful is still here
When you hunger for the touch of someone who really feels love
Old faithful will be there
When you hunger for the touch of...
The lyrics to Buck Owens's song "Old Faithful" depict a recurring situation where the singer has claimed that this would be the last time they tolerate their partner's behavior. They have made promises to themselves, fantasizing about being able to show their partner the door and finally being able to tell them to get lost. The singer has rehearsed every word and planned to express their frustration, starting with declaring that they have reached their limit. However, deep down, they know they would be lying to themselves and they would feel utterly devastated. Despite all the frustration and promises made, "Old Faithful" remains there, steadfast and reliable. It symbolizes that the singer's love and commitment is unwavering, even in the face of disappointment and pain. The song suggests that no matter how hurt or frustrated the singer may be, their loyalty and love remain constant like the faithful eruptions of the geyser referenced in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I've said this was the last time a hundred times before
I have expressed countless times in the past that our relationship was over
And the next time that you called I'd tell you off
And if you were to contact me again, I would scold you
I've promised me the luxury of showing you the door
I have made a personal commitment to myself to be able to confidently end things with you
Oh I could hardly wait till I could tell you to get lost
Oh, I eagerly anticipated the moment when I could order you to leave
Yes I've rehearsed every word of just what I would say
Yes, I have practiced and prepared every single phrase I would utter
Beginning with I've had it up to here
Starting with an expression of being fed up and reaching my limit
But I know I'd be lying and soon I'd feel like dying so old faithful is still here
However, I am aware that I would be deceiving myself and soon I would feel immense pain, so I am continuing to be faithful and stay by your side
Yes darling old faithful will come running old faithful will be there
Yes, my dear, even when you call, I will come running and be there for you
When you hunger for the touch of someone who really feels love
When you crave the affection of someone who genuinely understands and reciprocates love
Old faithful will be there
I will be there for you, steadfast and unwavering
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maringroco
Old faithfull song is my favorite song and faithfull love and also all buck Owens song that all my favorite to hear all music within 50's to 90's .yes I would like to hear all music thank you
@jmtaguiam4885
till now... so supportive this country music by this most singer!!! so proud of you ❤️♥️❤️ from Philippines oldest and youngest 💪❤️❤️❤️
@jmtaguiam4885
this is the most country and buck owens i played so wonderful message and musical maded by the original.. ❤️❤️❤️
@EstelitaSRoco
This is my favorite song yah hoooy its my favorites ,Old FAITHFULL, ONLY YOU, TOGETHER AGAIN ,I DON'T HEAR YOU and many others all buck owens music is my favorites to hear.you know sir maam if im hear the music of buck owens im very very happy.
@frankchilds9848
Powerful and vulnerable, both at the same time....Buck knew how to articulate the ups and downs of every day people with care and ease. He must have been an acute observer of human nature!
@steelmank4771
Frank, I'd wager your assumption about Buck is closer to truth than you can imagine :)
@lenaandersson7270
THANKS for Buck🎤🎸🔊GREAT GREAT 🎶
@hendrikpeinen6140
Pure country👍👌👏😍
@teasym2762
Another great song from buck owens
@josemerculitobaccay8060
This is my favorite song of buck Owens