10 Best Songs About Tulsa

Elle King released “Tulsa” on her 2022 album, Come Get Your Wife. The song blends country rock with King’s signature gritty, unapologetic vocal style, delivering a punchy narrative about betrayal, revenge, and independence. Come Get Your Wife was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, capturing the spirit of the city’s musical heritage. The album was produced by Elle King herself alongside Ross Copperman, a Grammy-nominated country music producer. Musicians contributing to the album include Copperman on guitar and keys, as well as other prominent session musicians known for their work in the country and rock genres. King’s approach to the song encapsulates her genre-blending style, pulling from rock, country, and blues traditions.

Co-written by Harris and Rodney Crowell, the song tells a story of loss and longing, with the Tulsa Queen, a symbolic train, serving as a metaphor for a departed lover. Luxury Liner was recorded at Enactron Truck Studio in Los Angeles, California, and produced by Harris’s longtime collaborator, Brian Ahern. Musicians featured on the album include some of the most respected figures in country and folk rock, such as Albert Lee on guitar, Hank DeVito on pedal steel, Emory Gordy Jr. on bass, and Glen D. Hardin on piano. This rich combination of musicians contributes to the song’s melancholic, yet enchanting atmosphere, blending country with a touch of folk and rock.

Released in 1963, “24 Hours from Tulsa” became one of the singer’s most memorable hits. Written by the legendary songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City. Pitney’s version, produced by Bacharach, features lush orchestral arrangements, signature to the songwriting pair’s style, with intricate piano work and sweeping strings that give the song its dramatic, cinematic feel. Pitney’s distinctive tenor voice conveys both the emotion and the tension of the narrative. The musicians on the recording include New York’s top session players, further solidifying the track’s polished sound. The song became a commercial success, reaching No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., making it a staple in Pitney’s discography.

Read More: Top 20 Burt Bacharach Songs Loved By Fans

“Take Me Back to Oklahoma” by Chubby Checker is a lesser-known track that highlights his versatility as an artist beyond the iconic dance hits like “The Twist.” Released as part of Checker’s 1964 album Chubby’s Folk Album, this song delves into a more country-tinged sound, blending folk and rock elements. Recorded in Philadelphia at Cameo-Parkway Studios, the album was produced by Kal Mann, known for working with Checker throughout his career. Although this song didn’t chart, its inclusion on the album marked Checker’s attempt to explore different musical genres during the folk revival era of the early 1960s. Musicians on the album included session players from the Philadelphia area, but details on the specific personnel remain sparse, characteristic of many smaller projects of the time.

“Tulsa County” was issued on the 1969 album Ballad of Easy Rider. The song was written by Pamela Polland and originally recorded by her band, The Gentle Soul, before The Byrds gave it their distinct sound. Recorded at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, California, between June and August 1969, Ballad of Easy Rider was produced by Terry Melcher. The Byrds lineup for the recording included Roger McGuinn on guitar and vocals, Clarence White on lead guitar, Gene Parsons on drums and banjo, and John York on bass. This era of The Byrds was characterized by a shift from their folk-rock roots to a more pronounced country sound, heavily influenced by their earlier work on Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

“Home Sweet Oklahoma” by Leon Russell is a rollicking tribute to Russell’s home state, released on his 1971 album Leon Russell and the Shelter People. Recorded at Shelter Studios in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Skyhill Studios in Los Angeles, this track reflects Russell’s deep connection to Oklahoma, combining elements of rock, blues, and country. The album was co-produced by Russell and Denny Cordell, and it features an all-star cast of musicians, including Carl Radle on bass, Jim Keltner on drums, and Don Preston on guitar. This song is a celebration of Oklahoma, particularly the Tulsa music scene that nurtured Russell and many of his contemporaries during this period.