Choctaw Bingo

James McMurtry

About Choctaw Bingo

"Choctaw Bingo" is a southern rock song written and performed by musician James McMurtry and appears on his album Saint Mary of the Woods and Live In Aught Three. The song is an up beat, honky tonk style narrative (ballad), having no chorus, but only alternating verse and instrumental sections. The tune is very similar to the verses in Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me".


Year:
2007
8:35
64 

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Strap them kids in 
Give 'em a little bit of vodka in a cherry coke
We're going to Oklahoma to the family reunion for the first time in years
It's up at uncle Slayton's cause he's getting on in years
You know he no longer travels but he's still pretty spry
He's not much on talking and he's just too mean to die
And they'll be comin' down from Kansas
And from west Arkansas
It'll be one great big old party like you never saw

Uncle Slayton's got his Texan pride
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
He's got a Airstream trailer and a Holstein cow 
He still makes whiskey 'cause he still knows how
He plats that Choctaw bingo every Friday night
You know he had to leave Texas but he won't say why
He owns a quarter section up by Lake Eufala
Caught a great big ol' blue cat on a driftin' jug line 
Sells his hardwood timber to the shipping mill
Cooks that crystal meth because the shine don't sell
He cooks that crystal meth because the shine don't sell
You know he likes his money he don't mind the smell

My cousin Roscoe Slayton's oldest boy from his second marriage up in Illinois
He was raised in East St. Louis by his momma's people 
Where they do things different 
Thought he'd just come on down
He was going to Dallas Texas in a semi truck called from that big McDonald's
You know the one they built up on that great big ol' bridge
Across the Will Rogers Turnpike
Took the Big Cabin exit stopped and bought a couple of cartons of cigarettes
At that Indian Smoke Shop with the big neon smoke rings
In the Cherokee Nation hit Muskogee late that night 
Somebody ran a stoplight at the Shawnee Bypass 
Roscoe tried to miss 'em but he didn't quite 

Bob and Mae come up from little town
Way down by lake Texoma where he coaches football
They were two A champions now for two years running
But he says they won't be this year no they won't be this year
And he stopped off in Tushka at that "Pop's Knife and Gun" place
Bought a SKS rifle and a couple a full cases of that steel core ammo
With the berdan primers from some East bloc nation that no longer needs 'em
And a Desert Eagle that's one great big ol' pistol 
I mean .50 caliber made by bad ass Hebrews 
And some surplus tracers for that old BAR of Slayton's
Soon as it gets dark we're gonna have us a time
We're gonna have us a time

Ruth Ann and Lynn come down from Baxter Springs
That's one hell raisin' town way up in Southeastern Kansas
Got a biker bar next to the lingerie store
That's got them Rolling Stones lips up there where everyone can see 'em
And they burn all night you know they burn all night you know they burn all night

Ruth Ann and Lynn they wear them cut off britches and those skinny little halters
And they're second cousins to me
Man I don't care I want to get between 'em
With a great big ol' hard on like a old bois d' arc fence post
You could hang a pipe rail gait from 
Do some twisted sisters 'til the cows come home 
And we'd be havin' us a time

Uncle Slayton's got his Texan pride
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
He's cut that corner pasture into acre lots' 
He sells 'em owner financed
Strictly to them that's got no kind of credit 'cCause he knows they're slackers
When they miss that payment
Then he takes it back 
He plays that Choctaw Bingo every Friday night
Drinks that Johnny Walker at that Club 69
We're gonna strap them kids in give 'em a little bit o' Benadryl
And a cherry coke we're goin' to Oklahoma Gonna have us a time

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James McMurtry

James McMurtry (born March 18, 1962, Fort Worth, Texas) is an American Texas rock and Texas country singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader and occasional actor (Daisy Miller, Lonesome Dove). He performs with veteran bandmates and rhythm section The Heartless Bastards (Darren Hess and Ronnie Johnson - not to be confused with the Cincinnati, OH, band of nearly the same name, Heartless Bastards. more »

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Written by: James McMurtry

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Genre
"Choctaw Bingo" is a song that falls under the Americana, Alt Country, and Folk Rock genres.
Album Name
The song is an integral part of the album "St. Mary of the Woods."
Release Information
It was released as a single track in the album "St. Mary of the Woods" in October 2002.
Song Length
It runs for a duration of about 9 minutes and 6 seconds, making it one of the longest songs in McMurtry's discography.
Songwriting
"Choctaw Bingo" was written and performed by James McMurtry, who is also known for his storytelling through his lyrics.
Inspiration
It is a story song about a wild and crazy extended family that gathers at a patriarch's mobile home in Oklahoma to play Choctaw Bingo.
Mood and Theme
The song establishes an atmospheric mood of a midwestern family, capturing the essence of blue-collar lifestyle and rural corruption.
Target Audience
It generally appeals to an audience that enjoys narrative-driven songs and storytelling in music.
Live Performances
It is particularly well-loved during live performances due to its lengthy instrumental jam sessions and engaging lyrics.
Popular Reception
"Choctaw Bingo" is one of McMurtry's most popular songs, earning the praise of fans and critics alike.
Song Interpretation
The song metaphorically depicts the multiple layers of American society such as poverty, corruption, family, and hope among them.
Music and Instrumentation
The song features a slow-building arrangement highlighted by fiery slide guitar solos.
Unique Style
McMurtry is known for his distinct narrative style, which is evident in "Choctaw Bingo," combining humor with an observant examination of complex family dynamics.
Radio Play
Despite its lengthy duration, the song received significant radio play on Alternative country stations.
Song Cover
The song was also covered by other music artists, including Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Regular Rotation
"Choctaw Bingo" is a staple in McMurtry's live shows, being a favorite among fans.
Critical Acclaim
Some music critics call it one of the best tracks written by James McMurtry.
Notable Lyrics
The song features numerous memorable lines and has a chorus that ends with the phrase, "We're gonna get high high high."
Repetition in Music
The song uses repetition effectively to build tension and anticipation throughout its lengthy runtime.
Parallel Narratives
"Choctaw Bingo" incorporates multiple storylines that run in parallel, a trait that exemplifies McMurtry's storytelling skill.

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