Flower Child

Now Johnny Paycheck's talent cannot even closely be compared to that of Willie Nelson or Waylon Jennings or even Merle Haggard but this ol boy has more attitute and guts than all of them combined. Willie Nelson once said in reference to Paycheck "Talk about an outlaw! I ain't got a chance!". And he was right. Unlike other outlaws that added outer influences such as jazz into their music, Johnny Paycheck was 100% country outlaw.

When you want to listen to Johnny, you want to hear him wail out about his time in prison (which he was in and out of constantly) and his rants about U.S. Government taking all the workin man's money. Unfortunately, Johnny Paycheck tried his hand at a few lovey dovey songs which came off almost hilarious and completely unbelievable, a few of which are on this album.

I know what you're thinking. Why is Flower Child reviewing a greatest hits album? Well, I'll tell you. To be frank, Johnny Paycheck is the most inconsistent man in the country music business. Never, in his whole career, did he put out an album that had more than one worthwhile song on it. And since most of the people on this forum are not very familiar with Johnny Paycheck, I would just like to let you guys in on his best music without complicating it. But if you guys end up liking this cat then I will delve further in and review some of his actual albums. Since I doubt that will be the case, I'm just gonna get ol' Johnny done in one thorough sweep.

With all that being said, its time to review.

This album sums Johnny Paycheck up as best as I've seen. Complete with live rowdy performances, songs that showcased his softer side, a narrative about a "beer joint" incident, and the music that really told the world what Johnny Paycheck was all about.


Take This Job And Shove It Paycheck's most famous and recognized song that can relate to millions of people around the world saying what they wanted to say for many years- "Take this job and shove it!". In this song, Johnny moans and groans his frustrations about the nasty factory job he's had for many years and how sick he is of working there. He doesn't leave out his bosses either,

"Well that foreman, he's a regular dog
The line boss, he's a fool
Got a brand new flat-top haircut
Lord, he thinks he's cool"

This song just cracks me up, because of how many times I've heard this same threatening-to-leave gripe session from my family members. And its always the same:

One of these days, Im gonna blow my top
And that sucker, hes gonna pay
Lord I cant wait to see their faces
When I get up the nerve to say..

Take this job and shove it!

11 Months and 29 Days is about a subject Paycheck knows alot about- prison. This one has a classic beginning, with Johnny calling out "A-one, two, three, four" and on que the harmonicas start wailing out their lazy tune. He has a lyric in this song that I particularly like:

"Keep the Lonestar cold,
the dance floor hot when I'm gone
Keep your hands off my woman--
I ain't gonna be gone that long"

Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised) In this quick number, Johnny tells of his more wilder days and how he wished he was back in the good times with his family when he wasn't getting in all of this trouble.

Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets Even though I think Paycheck is greatly over-flattering himself in this song, I do enjoy it. This one is about a rich woman who has turned Paycheck down many times because he wasn't rich enough and she didn't approve of his way of life. But every time her rich husband is out of town, Paycheck gets a call from her to come over.

She's All I Got
Ragged Old Truck

Colorado Kool-aid This in fact is not a song, but a big windy story about a knife fight narrated by none other than Johnny Paycheck himself. I do believe he was the first to coin the term "Colorado Kool-aid" because of this song
--
An' we was....what's that you say?
What's Colorado Kool-Aid?
Well, it's a can of Coors brewed from a mountain stream.
It'll set you head on fire an' make your kidneys scream

Fifteen Beers
I've Seen Better Days

Someone To Give My Love To I have never been a fan of Paycheck's songs about love, but this is definitely an exception. I find this one much more believable than the others, and it has a fantastic beat.

My Part of Forever
Yesterday's News Just Hit Home Today

(Stay Away) From the Cocaine Train (Live) The song is great in every way, really. The tinge of classic, classic country in its melody mixes well with the atmosphere and lyrics of the song. Paycheck's subject was one that troubled many county artists of that time, including himself, which he sternly warns against. I later found out an interesting tid bit. "The Fall" also did a cover of this song called "Stay Away (Old White Train)".

Me and the I.R.S. This song takes no time at all getting going. The beginning is mass of guitar and harmonica wailing and then Paycheck gets right to the point saying as the first line of the song "Well you can tell those boys at the I.R.S, this ol boy, hell I've had enough!". He pretty much says in this song what you will hear in discussions in small town bars throughout America.

Move The Feminine Touch
You Better On

I Did the Right Thing This was one of Johnny Paycheck attemps at an epically deep and thought provoking song. He failed miserably, and lets just leave it at that, haha.

When I Had a Home To Go To

Barstool Mountain On the other hand, this one is great. He goes back to what he knows a little about. The lyrics are terribly clever in this and it really is just a fun song to listen to.

I Can See Me Loving You Again
Old Violin
All Night Lady
The Outlaws Prayer