Lady Fern – Athyrium filix-femina

by | Dec 9, 2023 | Ferns, NE Native Ferns

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"The One on the Right Is on the Left" is a country song written by Jack Clement. It was recorded by Johnny Cash on November 29, 1965, and included on his novelty album Everybody Loves a Nut (1966). It was the album's third and most successful single (see 1966 in music), reaching #2 on the U.S. Billboard Country Singles chart and #46 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart.

Content

The song is a humorous criticism of musicians that put their political views into their music. It tells the story of a folk song group that is "long on musical ability", but ultimately breaks up due to political differences. At the end of the song, a warning is given not to mix politics with one's music.

The punch line to the joke is that "the guy in the rear", is less easily labeled: he is a Methodist and he burned his driver's license (rather than his draft card), etc. Indeed, the song closes by stating that he got drafted.

Track listings

7" single (Columbia 4-43496,[1] 1966)
No.TitleLength
1."The One on the Right Is on the Left"2:46
2."Cotton Pickin' Hands"2:19
7" single (Columbia 4-33109,[2] 1967)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The One on the Right Is on the Left"J. H. Clement2:46
2."Boa Constrictor"Shel Silverstein1:45

Chart performance

Chart (1966) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 46
Canadian RPM Top Singles 35

Cover versions

Noel Harrison sang the song on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on June 11, 1967.[5] They ended the song by pointing out they had no "guy in the rear" and walked off.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Johnny Cash - The One On The Right Is On The Left". Discogs. 1965. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  2. ^ "The One On The Right Is On The Left/Boa Constrictor". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  3. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Music Shows - The official Noel Harrison website". TheWindmillsOfYourMind.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  6. ^ "The One on the Left is on the Right - Noel Harrison Smothers Brothers". YouTube. 2010-09-12. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2016-09-29.


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