Implementing Change
Implementing Change

Oilfield Songs from Top Country Artists

Sit back and let these top country songs inspired by the oilfield take you on a musical journey from the coalmines of the Appalachia to the basins in the West.

By Max Russell, Contributor | Posted August 9, 2022

From the coalmines of Appalachia down to the oilfields of the West, music and the honest labor of hardworking folks has always gone hand and hand. As industries grew, musicians took to their instruments to honor those who were doing the work. This handful of songs from top country artists both classic and current is guaranteed to fuel you through a long day’s work, just like those whose stories are being sung.

 

‘Roughneck’ by Johnny Cash

This song comes from the album ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’, which is Johnny Cash’s collection of songs dedicated to the working man.

Accompanied by a simple drum beat and a little banjo picking, Cash sings from the perspective of a young man destined to work the oilfields. This song embodies the masterful simplicity of classic country, combined with the voice of one of the genre’s greatest legends.

This song from the Man in Black will make you want to go dig for Black Gold, it’s that good.

 

‘The Ballad of Jed Clampett’ by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs

If the previous song inspired you to go out and do some digging, you might end up like the character Jed Clampett, from the popular 1962 sitcom, ‘The Beverley Hillbillies”. This song tells the tale of how Jed discovered oil on his property, then rounded up his family and moved to sunny California.

Not only does this song contain grade-A nostalgia, it also features the pickin’ skills of two of Bluegrass music’s greatest icons.

While maybe not the most realistic, the entertaining nature of Jed’s story mixes with the expert musicianship of Flatt and Scruggs to create an auditory experience that is just downright fun. Besides, who doesn’t dream about finding oil in their backyard?

 

‘The Crude Oil Blues’ by Jerry Reed

Another country music legend, Jerry Reed is most famous for the song ‘Eastbound and Down”, the theme from the classic movie ‘Smoky and the Bandit’.

‘The Crude Oil Blues’ pays tribute to the power provided by the oil and gas industry, describing problems that arise when there’s just not enough crude.

For those in the industry, this song will remind you just how important the work you do is!

 

‘Roughest Neck Around’ by Corb Lund

Hailing from Alberta, Canada, Corb Lund is no stranger to the oilfields. This song is about a mythical folk hero of the oil and gas industry, known for his extraordinary abilities on the jobsite.

In addition to being a rocking tune that is sure to get you pumped up, this song pays homage to Cat® Oil and Gas engines. Listen closely to the beginning of the song for a surprise that’ll make any Cat fan smile.

Even the legendary Roughest Neck Around trusts Caterpillar to help him do the work!

To learn more about Caterpillar’s role in the oil and gas industry, click here!

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