Top Old Crow Medicine Show Songs: A Deep Dive into Their Best Tracks

Old Crow Medicine Show, a band synonymous with high-energy performances and a dedication to old-time musical traditions, has carved a unique space in the Americana music landscape. Their journey, much like the tales spun in their captivating songs, is rooted in serendipity and a deep passion for their craft. From busking on street corners to winning Grammy Awards, Old Crow Medicine Show has consistently delivered music that resonates with authenticity and raw energy. Let’s explore the top songs that define their remarkable career and showcase their enduring appeal to audiences worldwide.

Formed in 1998, the band’s origin story reads like a classic folk tale. After gathering a rotating cast of musicians in Ithaca, New York, Old Crow Medicine Show embarked on a journey across Canada, honing their skills as street performers. Busking their way across the vast country and back to the United States, this experience solidified their identity and musical direction.

Upon their return, the band found a home in Boone, North Carolina, a move that deeply influenced their sound and ethos. Immersed in Appalachian culture, they embraced a lifestyle that mirrored the themes in their music – crafting whiskey, engaging in unconventional jobs, and tirelessly refining their musical talents through constant busking and collaboration. This period was crucial in shaping the authentic, rootsy sound that became their trademark.

A pivotal moment arrived on King Street in Boone when fate intervened in the form of folk legend Doc Watson. Watson’s daughter, captivated by their street performance, brought her father to witness their music. Impressed by their raw talent and genuine passion, Doc Watson extended an invitation that would change their trajectory – a performance at MerleFest. This invitation served as a launching pad, propelling Old Crow Medicine Show onto a larger stage and into the hearts of a broader audience.

Throughout their impressive career, Old Crow Medicine Show has amassed a rich discography, including seven studio albums and four live albums. Their catalog is a vibrant tapestry woven with original compositions and carefully curated pre-World War II blues and folk songs. This blend of original songwriting and reverent interpretations of traditional music underscores their commitment to both innovation and preservation.

The current dynamic lineup features founding member Ketch Secor, alongside Morgan Jahnig, Cory Younts, Jerry Pentecost, Mike Harris, and Mason Via. In April 2022, they added to their already substantial body of work with their latest album, Paint This Town, demonstrating their continued creativity and relevance in the contemporary music scene.

Even after more than two decades, Old Crow Medicine Show remains dedicated to reinventing and revitalizing old-time music for modern listeners. Join us as we delve into The Boot’s selection of their top 10 songs, celebrating the tracks that have defined their journey and solidified their place in music history.

• 10. “Gloryland”

From their recent album Paint This Town, “Gloryland” stands out as a poignant and timely track. Co-written by founding member Chris “Critter” Fuqua and Ketch Secor, the lyrics explore themes of disillusionment and societal decay. Lines like “locked out at the gates of Gloryland” juxtaposed with “scenes of ruination everywhere I go” paint a vivid picture of contemporary anxieties. The song subtly echoes the sentiments of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” a known influence on the band, yet it firmly grounds itself in the present moment. “Gloryland” exemplifies Old Crow’s ability to draw from musical history while remaining acutely relevant to today’s world, showcasing their enduring zeal as they enter their third decade.

• 9. “Methamphetamine”

Old Crow’s formative years in the Appalachian region profoundly shaped not only their sound but also the narratives they weave into their songs. “Methamphetamine” serves as a stark and unflinching blues-country exploration of Appalachia’s struggles with substance abuse. Sung with a knowing weariness, the lyrics convey a sense of having witnessed too much hardship. Secor collaborated with Americana luminary David Rawlings on this track, with Rawlings famously contributing the powerful and direct chorus keyword, “Methamphetamine.” The song’s raw honesty and unflinching portrayal of social issues highlight Old Crow’s willingness to tackle difficult subjects with depth and sensitivity.

• 8. “Visions of Johanna” (from 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde)

In 2017, Old Crow paid homage to one of their greatest influences with 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde, a live album capturing their performance of Bob Dylan’s iconic 1966 double album, track by track. Recorded live at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, this album is a testament to their deep appreciation for Dylan’s work. Among the standout tracks, “Visions of Johanna” shines particularly bright. The performance is rich with instrumental texture and depth, illustrating how Old Crow both honors their musical roots and infuses their own distinctive spirit into every song, whether it’s a cover or an original. This track exemplifies their skill in interpreting and reimagining classic material while maintaining their unique identity.

• 7. “Sweet Amarillo”

“Sweet Amarillo” represents another instance where Old Crow ingeniously built a song upon the foundation of a Bob Dylan bootleg. Secor recounted to CMT how this song came to fruition: Dylan sent them a demo, stating, “Here’s a song that I never really finished. It was recorded a few days after ’Rock Me Mama.’ Give it a try. We’d like the boys, the Old Crows to give it a whirl.” Dating back to a 1973 recording session for the Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid soundtrack, Dylan’s original version remained incomplete. Donna Weiss initially developed lyrics for the song, followed by Brenda Patterson’s 1974 recording. However, Old Crow’s rendition of “Sweet Amarillo” is distinctly their own. They transformed it into a wistful, heartfelt tune sung from the perspective of a wandering soul, imbuing it with their signature old-time charm and emotional depth.

• 6. “James River Blues”

Released in 2006, “James River Blues” possesses a timeless quality that belies its release date. The song’s lyrics and instrumentation evoke a feeling as if it originated over a century ago. It poignantly captures the plight of workers displaced by industrial progress: “James river blues / That train came on through / And the worlds gotten slow / So wheres a boat man to go?” While rooted in the specific context of the James River, the song’s themes resonate far beyond. It speaks to the universal experience of industries evolving and leaving individuals behind, whether it’s the decline of boatmanship, the automobile industry, or coal mining. “James River Blues” connects to the broader American narrative of economic change and its impact on working communities.

• 5. “Down Home Girl”

Old Crow included “Down Home Girl” on their 2006 album, Big Iron World, adding their distinctive flavor to a classic track. Originally recorded in 1964 by New Orleans artist Alvin “Shine” Robinson and penned by Jerry Leiber and Artie Butler, “Down Home Girl” has been covered by numerous music icons, including Taj Mahal and the Rolling Stones. Despite these legendary renditions, Old Crow’s country-blues interpretation of “Down Home Girl” stands as a formidable contender. Their version injects a raw, rootsy energy into the song, making it a standout in their catalog and a testament to their ability to reinterpret classics with vigor.

• 4. “This Train is Bound for Glory” (Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration)

For Woody Guthrie’s centennial celebration, Old Crow Medicine Show took center stage at the Kennedy Center to perform Guthrie’s iconic anthem, “This Train is Bound for Glory.” They were joined by an extraordinary ensemble of musicians, including Ani DiFranco, Dan Gellert, Donovan, Jackson Browne, Jimmy LaFave, Judy Collins, Lucinda Williams, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rosanne Cash, Ry Cooder, Sweet Honey in the Rock, The Del McCoury Band, Tim O’Brien, Tom Morello, and Tonya Trischka. The resulting performance is nothing short of joyous and jubilant, radiating a sense of collective celebration and musical camaraderie. This rendition underscores Old Crow’s connection to the roots of American folk music and their ability to create uplifting and unifying musical experiences.

• 3. “My Good Gal”

Dark storytelling is a cornerstone of traditional country music, and with “My Good Gal,” Ketch Secor proves his mastery of this art form. This somber, acoustic-driven track opens with a lament of lost love and emotional turmoil. Secor’s lyrics, “Well she drug me down / Tossed me ’round / Slammed my name all over town / My good gal ain’t no good to me / She makes true love more like misery,” set a tone of heartbreak and despair. As the song progresses, the narrative takes a dark turn, culminating in a tale of deadly consequences. The emotive outro, marked by a wailing harmonica and poignant strings, conveys a depth of pain that transcends words. “My Good Gal” showcases Old Crow’s ability to delve into the darker corners of human experience with compelling narrative and musical intensity.

• 2. “Tell It To Me”

“Tell It To Me,” from Old Crow’s second studio album, perfectly encapsulates the raw energy of their early busking days. This raucous, jug-band-infused track has become one of their signature songs. Its irresistibly catchy and fun chorus is a major factor in its enduring popularity. The group’s spirited delivery of lines like, “Now won’t you tell it to me / Tell it to me / Drink the corn liquor let the cocaine be / Cocaine’s gonna kill my honey dead,” is both playful and edgy. “Tell It To Me” embodies the band’s ability to create infectious, high-energy music that is both deeply rooted in tradition and undeniably fun.

• 1. “Wagon Wheel”

“Wagon Wheel,” arguably Old Crow Medicine Show’s most recognizable song, boasts a unique and lengthy creation story. Unusually, it took approximately twenty-five years from its inception to its widespread popularity. Its origins trace back to a forgotten chorus from a Bob Dylan bootleg, recorded during his Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid sessions. This old tape found its way to Critter Fuqua in his youth, who then shared it with Secor. Secor then crafted the verses, telling the story of a hitchhiking gambler’s journey to reunite with his love in Raleigh. Upon seeking Dylan’s permission to record the completed song, Dylan graciously agreed, resulting in a 50/50 songwriting credit.

When Darius Rucker covered “Wagon Wheel” in 2013, it exploded onto the country charts, becoming a platinum-selling smash hit. However, despite the immense success of Rucker’s cover, Old Crow’s original version retains its unique charm and authenticity. “Wagon Wheel” stands as a testament to the band’s ability to take fragments of musical history and forge them into something timeless and universally appealing, securing its place as their quintessential song.

Old Crow Medicine Show’s enduring legacy lies in their ability to bridge the gap between generations, breathing new life into old-time musical traditions while crafting original songs that resonate with contemporary audiences. Their top songs are not just tracks; they are stories, experiences, and celebrations of the rich tapestry of American music.