Merle Haggard had a way of speaking for the everyday man, and Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver) is one of those songs that feels like it was written just for you, no matter what era you’re living in. Released in 1982, this song is a heartfelt reflection on the changes in America, life, and the way things used to be. Haggard doesn’t just sing about nostalgia—he makes you feel it deep in your bones.
This isn’t a song drenched in sugar-coated memories; it’s a raw, honest look at a world that’s moving too fast, where prices rise, values shift, and people wonder if the best days are behind them. The lyrics paint a picture of a time when a dollar went further, a job meant something, and America felt a little more united. Haggard asks the big question—Are the good times really over for good?—and it’s one that echoes through generations.
What makes this song so special is its authenticity. You can hear the sincerity in Merle’s voice, the weight of experience behind every word. It’s not just about politics or economics—it’s about the heartache of watching the world change and feeling powerless to stop it. Yet, in true Haggard fashion, the song doesn’t just dwell on what’s lost. By the end, there’s a glimmer of hope, a call to stand up and take back the things that matter.
Whether you’re someone who remembers a time when life felt simpler or you’re just longing for a world that feels a little less chaotic, Are The Good Times Really Over will strike a chord. It’s a reminder that even when things look bleak, we still have the power to hold on to what’s right, to fight for a better tomorrow
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Lyrics
I wish a buck was still silver
And it was back when country was strong
Back before Elvis and before Viet Nam war came along
Before the Beatles and “Yesterday”
When a man could still work and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
And are the good times really over for good?
Are we rollin’ down hill like a snowball headed for hell
With no kind of chance for the flag or the Liberty Bell
I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last ten years
Like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
And are the good times really over for good?
I wish coke was still cola
And a joint was a bad place to be
And it was back before Nixon lied to us
All on TV
Before microwave ovens
When a girl could still cook
And still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
And are the good times really over for good?
Are we rollin’ down hill like a snowball headed for hell
With no kind of chance for the flag or the Liberty Bell
I wish a Ford and a Che