Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)

"Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)"
Single by Merle Haggard
from the album Big City
B-side	"I Always Get Lucky with You"
Released	May 15, 1982
Genre	Country
Length	4:14
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Merle Haggard
Producer(s)	Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard singles chronology
"Big City" (1981) "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)" (1982) "Going Where the Lonely Go" (1982)

"Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard backed by The Strangers. It was released in May 1982 as the third single from his album Big City. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart[1] and #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.[2]

Content

The theme of the song is the concern over irreversible moral decay. It features a wide range of references including pop culture topics such as The Beatles and Elvis; American companies like Ford, Chevy, and Coca-Cola; political topics including the Vietnam War and presidency of Richard Nixon, as well as social commentary on modern men's work ethic, and women's lack of skill and willingness to cook.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3]	2
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1982)	Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[4]	27

References

1. Merle Haggard Billboard Singles
2. RPM Country Tracks
3. "Merle Haggard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
4. "Talent in Acction" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 51. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-24. Retrieved June 22, 2021.