Elvis Presley was a dominant figure on the Billboard Hot 100, making the achievement of Buck Owens even more noteworthy. Owens managed to secure a sixteen-year gap between number one hits, which was longer than Presley’s nineteen-year interval between chart-toppers. Owens hit his twentieth number one with “Made in Japan” in 1972, but it wasn’t until 1988 that he returned to the top alongside Dwight Yoakam with “Streets of Bakersfield,” marking the second-longest hiatus between two number-one singles by the same artist.
Owens had stepped away from performing in 1980 with no plans to return. However, his passion was rekindled by Dwight Yoakam, an up-and-coming country musician who deeply admired Owens. Yoakam frequently praised Owens during shows and interviews, dedicating his debut album to him, highlighting Owens’ significant influence on his music.
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In September 1987, Yoakam made an unexpected visit to Owens’ office in Bakersfield, California. He managed to persuade Owens to join him onstage—a first for Owens, who had never sung alongside another performer. Yet, the connection with Yoakam was instant and authentic.
In January 1988, Owens was asked to participate in a Country Music Association television special celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bakersfield sound. When Merle Haggard had to pull out, Owens suggested Yoakam as a replacement, and the producers agreed. They were also tasked with performing a song that highlighted the essence of Bakersfield, referred to as “Nashville West.”
Owens recalled a track from his 1973 album—“Streets of Bakersfield.” This song was penned by Arkansas songwriter Homer Joy, who traveled to Bakersfield hoping to present his work to Owens. After enduring a long wait, Joy wrote the song inspired by his time in the city, with heartfelt lyrics and a theme that perfectly suited the occasion.
Following the CMA performance, Owens and Yoakam took the stage at the Academy of Country Music Awards with “Streets of Bakersfield.” Their performance gained significant traction, as radio DJs across the country began playing it on air. This enthusiasm led to the recording of a studio version, which was included in Yoakam’s album, “Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room.”
The single “Streets of Bakersfield” made its debut on Billboard’s Country Chart on July 16, 1988. By October 15, it shot up to number one. This marked Owens’ twenty-first chart-topping single, and Yoakam’s first, demonstrating Owens’ continued relevance and timeless appeal.
More than just a commercial success, “Streets of Bakersfield” represented a connection between generations of country music artists—a collaboration between Buck Owens, an architect of the Bakersfield sound, and Dwight Yoakam, a modern torchbearer. The song celebrated the vibrant spirit of Bakersfield, a city that developed a unique country music style distinct from Nashville. Today, their duet is considered one of the most significant partnerships in the history of the genre.
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