The Story Behind Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam’s “Streets of Bakersfield”
About the Song
Buck Owens’ career already boasted twenty No. 1 country hits by the early 1970s, but his sixteenth-year return to the top of the charts is what made history. After his 1972 single “Made in Japan” hit No. 1, Owens wouldn’t see another chart-topper until 1988, when he teamed up with Dwight Yoakam on “Streets of Bakersfield.” The long gap gave him the second-longest stretch between No. 1 hits for a country artist, surpassing even Elvis Presley’s nineteen-year span.
The Revival of Buck Owens’ Career
By 1980, Owens had stepped away from the stage, content to retire. But Dwight Yoakam — then an up-and-coming star — reignited his passion. A lifelong admirer of Owens, Yoakam dedicated his debut album to him, frequently championed his influence in interviews, and even worked his name into stage banter. In September 1987, Yoakam made a surprise visit to Owens’ Bakersfield office and convinced him to perform together. Though Owens had never shared the stage with another singer before, the chemistry between them was immediate.
Choosing “Streets of Bakersfield”
When Merle Haggard dropped out of a planned Country Music Association 20th anniversary TV special in early 1988, Owens suggested Yoakam as his partner. Producers wanted a song that celebrated Bakersfield — the city often called “Nashville West.” Owens remembered “Streets of Bakersfield,” a track from his 1973 album written by Arkansas native Homer Joy. Joy had traveled to Bakersfield hoping to pitch songs to Owens, and after days of waiting, he penned the tune while literally walking its streets. The song’s grit, honesty, and Bakersfield roots made it the perfect choice.
From TV Stage to Chart Success
The televised CMA performance, followed by another at the Academy of Country Music Awards, struck a chord with fans and DJs alike. Radio stations began airing recordings of the performance, sparking demand for a studio cut. Yoakam included the new version on his 1988 album Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room, and the single officially hit the Billboard Country Chart that July. By October 15, it climbed all the way to No. 1 — marking Owens’ twenty-first chart-topper and Yoakam’s very first.
Legacy
More than a hit, “Streets of Bakersfield” became a generational handshake. It united Owens, one of the original architects of the Bakersfield sound, with Yoakam, the torchbearer who carried it into a new era. The song also cemented Bakersfield itself as a cornerstone of country’s identity, distinct from Nashville’s polish. Decades later, the duet remains one of the most significant collaborations in country music history — proof that authenticity never goes out of style.
