He's a drugstore truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer comes rollin' around
We'll be lucky to get out of town

He's been like a father to me
He's like the only DJ, you can hear after three
And I'm an all night singer in a country band
And if he don't like me, he don't understand

He's a drugstore truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer comes rollin' around
We'll be lucky to get out of town

He's got in my house on the hill
And he can play country records till you've had your fill
And he's a mormon's friend, he's an all night DJ
Sure don't think much like the records he plays

He's a drugstore truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer comes rollin' around
We'll be lucky to get out of town

He don't like resistance I know
And he said it last night on a big TV show
And he's got him a medal that he won in the war
Weighs five hundred pounds and it sleeps by the door

All comments from YouTube:

@davidqualls6044

11w

Joan Baez was a fabulous voice for change during the turbulent 1960's

@jimiamore

12y↑34

I was lucky to be a part of this time.......those were the days......long hair....torn jeans and good, good, good music.

@greenchange2477

5y↑2

Yes, the music today is just dreadful in comparison to the music of that time.

@georgeeckart4654

5y↑1

Viet Nam. I loved it!

@sunshinelee736

7y↑10

And I am from that time. Went to Woodstock and all. What a time!!!

@juicyjim7434

Really? What was it like?

@7thsonofa7thson80

1y↑2

Love this song. Missed woodstock . Born to late. Still love the music. Seen the documentary movie many times.

@davidskipsey300

46w

yah, i saw in JB while shopping one in brisbane cbd of the whole entire 3 days for $299.00, a 3dvd set.

@alcrissman4647

6y↑8

50 yrs later wish we could all go back to those days ...

@alanwyatt6220

4y↑2

The good old days had their problems that continue today. Help with the resistance from the fascists of today.

@tbewin1z143

The facists are the f***ing rich people who own the media and create boogeymen for people like you to be afraid of, while those same rich people take everything you have including your freedom!!!

@oschiri66

3y↑3

Including the ticket to Viet-Nam? ;)

@anthonyfoutch3152

our only worries was thermonuclear warfare.

@davidg4288

51w

Yeah kinda like right now actually only you might get drafted, and if you live in the wrong country you are already there. "Ain't no time to wonder why, whoopee we're all going to die!"

@RogerRoddComedian

6y↑11

Thanks for posting this. The last time I heard this song, I was LITERALLY at a "Stop The War" "Repeal The Draft" protest rally at UCSB.

@pauljones5066

3y↑1

what a disgusting Imperial war that was

@millukemau

2y↑6

He's a drugstore truck drivin' man .. he's the head of the Ku Klux Klan .. when summer comes rollin' around .. we'll be lucky to get out of town ....

@markross2124

42w↑1

I campaigned for that son of a b. and have since repented of that terrible sin many times.

@robertkimmins5665

8y↑60

they left out the part where Jeff says something like "we'd like to dedicate this song to the governor of California.....Ronald Reaganzzzzz"

@diskman3001

8y↑2

robert kimmins yes I took out the intro

@robertkimmins5665

8y↑4

sorry i'm not a reagan fan. he told us we are sick.

@iknowbut1919

6y↑7

Ray guns

@greenchange2477

5y↑10

It was more like"Ronald RAY-GUNNNNZZZZ".

@majorbrowntrout

5y↑5

"ronald reagunzzzz zappp"

8 More Replies...

@mizzmead8077

4y↑4

You are so on target and I thank you for this music. My time in life and I understand I had to share..

@fabiocresci9805

6y↑4

Very very beautiful waltz country! thank'you!

@Tenskwatawa4U

7y↑20

This song is about a specific thing, but there are inherent generalities attached as well. When the Byrds were on Ralph Emery's (he later hosted the NASHVILLE NETWORK'S "Nashville Now" cable show) radio show, promoting their SWEETHEART OF THE RADIO album (50 years ago this month - do the math!), the Byrds typically had long hair and "unconventional dress". Emery was rude and gave them short shrift, although the music was authentically country.

Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons wrote this song for the Byrds, but by the time it appeared on their 7th album (Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde) McGuinn was the only member of that band still a Byrd.

The spoken last line in the Byrds' version makes the meaning very clear: "This is for you, Ralph."

@greenchange2477

5y↑4

It was "Sweetheart of the Rodeo", not "Radio".

@julianvickery8341

7y↑12

Joan Baez' performance (with Jeffrey Shurtleff) of "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" on Saturday, 16 August 1969, day 2 of the Woodstock Music Festival. They dedicated the song to the then California Governor, Ronald Reagan! It was 8th song (of 13) that Joan played that morning, while six months pregnant,

@Khumbu0609

4y↑1

I was there, and they referred to the governor as "Ronald Ray Gun".

@Khumbu0609

4y↑1

Also, it was Friday night, not Saturday!

@gloriarohlfs5805

Friday night, actually - wonderful performance even in the rain

@charlesfoutch1132

@@Khumbu0609 ray gun zap. It was on the album and I must had listened to it a thousand times.

@79tazman

3y↑2

This song was written by Parsons-McGuinn about a Nashville D.J. Ralph Emery

3 More Replies...

@starpowerj

9y↑37

This song may be a product of their time, but it holds just as much truth today as it did then.

@jamesjohnston3643

3y↑2

Oh does it ever.

@scotthughberry

3y↑1

Damned right it does! It was referencing Reagan but certainly applied as much or more to Drumpft!

@TBguitar

@@scotthughberry relax dude

@scotthughberry

2y↑1

@@TBguitar OK QAren :)

@Gregory-pm3hn

18w

F*** you. Country music fans are wonderful human beings & Ralph Emery was a true American hero. RIP Ralph ( passed away in 2022 ).

@Tower-f5w

5y↑17

@charlesfoutch1132

4y↑1

I always wondered what the last line meant.

@athenathegreatandpowerful6365

@@charlesfoutch1132 a bomb of some sort. A bomb? H bomb? Nukes?

@charlesfoutch1132

@@athenathegreatandpowerful6365 you know that for sure or just guessing?

@richarddelgado2723

@@charlesfoutch1132that was my guess as well 😅lol…

@flautalee3090

3y↑1

Still my time. I’m sure my parents are turning in their graves with all sorts of difficulties we’re having having now. When they passed away (1979, 1982) it seemed like things were moving in a better direction.

@namyarasree

5y↑2

So many souvenirs.....!!!!!

@whiskey6actual

24w↑3

Could not make Woodstock was busy in Vietnam

@majorpayne4098

I lived it and loved it

@thomasrobinson182

23w↑1

Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons, then of The Byrds, wrote this in a hotel room in London as a raspberry in reaction to WSM DJ Ralph Emery's not wanting to play 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere' and castigating The Byrds on his show. One of my favorite songs by either McGuinn or Parsons. It was included on the 'Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde' album.

@margaretross9150

22w

Wish they'd written more songs together.

@richardhinman3046

18w↑1

Parsons did a solo version in 1973 with Emmylou Harris.
It's on his Fallen Angels-Live album.
IMO the best version.

@margaretross9150

18w

@@richardhinman3046 Love that album.

@thomasrobinson182

18w

@@richardhinman3046 not as polished as The Byrds version. Another talent ruined by drugs.

@margaretross9150

17w

@@thomasrobinson182 Ruined by his childhood, I'd say. That's why he drowned himself in substances. Both parents gone by Gram's 18th year.

@jonhill970

25w

I like this version way more than the Byrds one, and my dad was asked to join the Byrds for the mr Tamborine man sessions.

@justorodriguez4279

12y↑5

this song and joe hill are my favourite, i like it joan baez

@margaretross9150

3y↑2

Written by Roger and Gram about Ralph Emery, but it applies to any pompous figure so is eternally relevant.

@eightinches6094

RIP Ralph Emery.

@davidskipsey300

46w

there have been several diferrent versions of this dvd and i have one of them

@davidmorris8781

7y↑3

I like it, it does reflect my views. Since it mentions "resistance" I hope someone remakes it for a new era.

@anthonyfoutch3152

26w↑1

The song is about Ralph Emrey.

@djorbit-xx4514

Music from peace love

@myyoutube887

OMGA,common down to my boat plesantry

@JaeSamantha

2y↑3

Someone should do a version of this song dedicated to Ron DeSantis lol

@myyoutube887

kicking a can on a Live TV Screen

@markross2124

40w↑2

I campaigned for that son of a b. and have since repented of that terrible sin many times. Jimmy Carter I sincerely apologize.

@margaretross9150

22w

Jimmy would forgive you. I trust you'll get it right this time.

@purlmanadventures9477

6y↑3

💙☺❤

@jimmyrodriguez8123

7y↑2

Nice

@donr5593

What voices.

@williamshaver6796

7y↑4

CERTAINLY REFLECTS TODAY AS MUCH AS THE REGAN YEARS!

@whiskey6actual

6y↑5

Song is about Ralph Emery --

@myyoutube887

Yet here we all hear?

@TheBanMan

9y↑13

McGuinn had some some boisterous balls when he wrote this one

@TheBanMan

9y↑1

wavygr Both, actually. I'm pretty sure it was more McGuinn, though, since he was the one with a reputation as a hippie, so Ralph Emery had more reason to snub him.

@TheBanMan

wavygr I'm guessing it's some reference that only Ralph would get, just to piss him off.

@iknowbut1919

@@TheBanMan roger said he was mad at Ralph for not having any of his records

@margaretross9150

@wavygr I think Emery was sponsored by Gold Medal Flour. Maybe that's the link.

@heyyou5369

Here I am Just by nature a woman in the family tapestry ……knit and hillbilly neighbors of the oyster pearls really Big Time

@myyoutube887

Good Town USA

@davidskipsey300

46w↑1

i heard that jeffry shirtleff and his accompanist got some jail time for singing this number.i think jeffery got thedeath sentance while joan got 30 yrs in the 'slammer'.because of the refence to the then councilor ronald "ray-gunz reagan.

@EdKazO-Vision

9y↑24

Well it's about the Donald now, friends. #MakeDonaldDrumpfAgain

@AmericanIsraeliJew

8y↑3

No it is about you!

@EdKazO-Vision

No. You!

@captainhotlicks2325

8y↑1

no. Me!!

@barrybanzet7947

6y↑1

Your politics are not welcome here.

@djorbit-xx4514

☯️☮️💗🎼

@myyoutube887

Whole Listings Healings ...by the way Shore....Atlantic Bay Shores....who is that dead girl on dr craigs list?

@heyyou5369

Big pretzel nations

@heyyou5369

He’s got t a Black and blues with our booze

@Gregory-pm3hn

18w

F*** Gram Parsons & that other Byrd. Ralph Emery was a GREAT radio host and had a pure spirit. RIP Ralph !

@mjakubi

7y↑1

you have to hear Joan's intro when she says it's "Reagan's Ray Guns, ZAPP" " it is only 1968 wait until he becomes President.

@gloriarohlfs5805

actually, it was 1969 . . . but your point's valid a year later ;>)

@suzieddd5360

8y↑2

Even more true now..

@heyyou5369

Hey Big Nancy and Big Bang ha ha theory of an evolution of Peace Camp Sometime Continuum …….all we are saying is give Peace in a da da show a chac..:…

@myyoutube887

1y↑1

Hey is he trump?

@bodilscipio8703

7y↑3

This is for you Donald.....

@theresalux8185

52w↑1

Where was Donald Trump when this came out 😂

@bobsloane2329

Good old Ronald Regans...

@charlesfoutch1132

4y↑1

The sure confused people about who this song was writtened about.

@myyoutube887

Big Jim Neighbors.......

@greyub6ni7rfdyhr

13y↑5

For Ronald Rayguns (ZAP)

@garynicholson2931

Times haven't changed much and I was making a statement about current affairs. It's still valid. Look at the first amendment. Zachary Hogan.

@myyoutube887

George of goop

@heyyou5369

Are we all buying into the Drug store cheaper Mr Creepers

@heyyou5369

Such a Bizzy of a Bugs Show

@heyyou5369

Women are not like bugs in your national velvets way

@heyyou5369

Bring on Downtown Tom Waites

@myyoutube887

Show Mpre

@myyoutube887

on the lamb.......distorted family as we maybe....drugstore fighting a man?

@alanwyatt6220

4y↑5

I remember the past, Resistance still is not over. We have history repeating itself and we still forget to pay attention. We need to pay attention to social justice and resist the rising "brown shirts." For those stuck only to the past, there is still much to be done. Even though I grew up in white privilege, I believe Black Lives Matter!
All you from the 60's, you are not dead yet! Resist the ultra right and White Supremacists. I am a strong supporter of non violent resistance it did not stop in the 60's, lets organize NOW.

@redtobertshateshandles

Boo !! White privilege my arse. You love it.

@largelester

2y↑2

i dedicate this song to Joe Biden

@dhscpa1956

Was Jeffrey Shurtleff the model for the Cavemen in GEICO ads? I call him Caveman Folksinger

@toddgittins5692

No. A Bigfoot was.

@heyyou5369

Red Rover Red rovers come over come over

@heyyou5369

Australia Slip Knots

@heyyou5369

Here in Chris’s part of land…….

@jak9338

Bring back Ronald Reagun.

@charlesfoutch1132

junior or his bigot union busting father?

@NoMoreAsterisks

Folk music's so easy, even a caveman can do it.

@myyoutube887

Neighbors

@PeteRose-ou3bg

1y↑1

A song about a Trump Cult member

@davidfitzpatrick4377

And his Concerned Citizens of Alabama Councillor wife helps him out discreetly
picketing Polanski.

@jaynasheats4895

5y↑1

My time, sorry!

@myyoutube887

its your funeral USA

@jakecrisci7264

4y↑1

Songs about Donald Trump!

@walterpeebles295

18w

This song just might be about Donald Trump.

@fsteddiec60

ONCE WRITTEN FOR THE GOV. OF CALIFORNIA RONALD RAY-GUNS ZAP, I THOUGHT IT WAS RELEVANT HERE IN 2017 FOR EMPEROR TRUMP.

@robertdimeglio7155

7y↑5

You out oif control LIBS made TRUMP NECESSARY! Gob BLESS Donald TRUMP!

@anthonyfoutch3152

@@robertdimeglio7155 what out of control libs is that?

@JaeSamantha

Much more fitting for Ron DeSantis at the moment honestly

@AmericanIsraeliJew

8y↑1

These kind of songs were somewhat entertaining but really the product of left wing chronic paranoia that has dribbled down the legs of all true traitors that shouldn't be in the presence of any honorable Marine.