“Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer” is a song that Bob McDill and Wayland Holyfield penned. American country music artist Johnny Russell recorded the said track. Released in July 1973, it was the first single from his album Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer. On the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, the song occupied spot #4. This was his only top-ten track. However, on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada, it became a number 1 hit. Thanks to RPM, he got his only chart-topper.

Performed from the perspective of a patron of a neighborhood tavern is what the song is all about. He notes the cigarette smoke hanging in the air. In addition, he describes several customers. First are patrons who either make an unwanted pass at a female bartender. Another is a cowboy who cusses the pinball machine. The third is a drunken customer who has become boisterous. Last is a customer who phones his wife to tell her he will soon be leaving for home. In the lyrics, he also refers to the good times and camaraderie of friends at the establishment.

The four-thirty crowd is about to arrive

The sun’s goin’ down, and we’ll all soon be here

A reference is also made to “There Stands the Glass”. This is a Webb Pierce country hit, which is noted to be playing on the jukebox.

Johnny Russell’s Other Works

Did you know that Johnny Russell wrote a Buck Owens Country Classic in 1963?  Yes, he did. It was the same song that Beatles popularized in the year 1965.

Johnny Russell wrote the lyrics of the great “Act Naturally”.

Moreover, he also wrote the B-side of the Jim Reeves classic “He’ll Have To Go”. It goes by the title “In A Mansion Stands My Love”.

Last but definitely not the least, do you remember George Strait’s #1 “Let’s Fall To Pieces Together”? Johnny wrote that, too. This is not bad at all for a boy who came from Moorhead, Mississippi.