The One on the Right Is on the Left

"The One on the Right Is on the Left" is a country song written by Jack Clement. It was recorded by Johnny Cash on November 29, 1965, and included on his novelty album Everybody Loves a Nut (1966). It was the album's third and most successful single (see 1966 in music), reaching #2 on the U.S. Billboard Country Singles chart and #46 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart.

"The One on the Right Is on the Left"
Single by Johnny Cash
from the album Everybody Loves a Nut
B-side	"Cotton Pickin' Hands"
Released	February 12, 1966
Genre	Country, novelty
Length	2:46
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Jack Clement
Producer(s)	Don Law, Frank Jones
Johnny Cash singles chronology
"Happy to Be with You" (1966) "The One on the Right Is on the Left" (1966) "Jackson" (1967)

Content

The song is a humorous criticism of musicians that put their political views into their music. It tells the story of a folk song group that is "long on musical ability", but ultimately breaks up due to political differences. At the end of the song, a warning is given not to mix politics with one's music.

The punch line to the joke is that "the guy in the rear", is less easily labeled: he is a Methodist and he burned his driver's license (rather than his draft card), etc. Indeed, the song closes by stating that he got drafted.

Track listings

7" single (Columbia 4-43496,^[1] 1966)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The One on the Right Is on the Left"	2:46
2.	"Cotton Pickin' Hands"	2:19

7" single (Columbia 4-33109,^[2] 1967)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The One on the Right Is on the Left"	J. H. Clement	2:46
2.	"Boa Constrictor"	Shel Silverstein	1:45

Chart performance

Chart (1966)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[4]	46
Canadian RPM Top Singles	35

Cover versions

Noel Harrison sang the song on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on June 11, 1967.^[5] They ended the song by pointing out they had no "guy in the rear" and walked off.^[6]

References

1. "Johnny Cash - The One On The Right Is On The Left". Discogs. 1965. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
2. "The One On The Right Is On The Left/Boa Constrictor". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
3. "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
4. "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
5. "Music Shows - The official Noel Harrison website". TheWindmillsOfYourMind.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
6. "The One on the Left is on the Right - Noel Harrison Smothers Brothers". YouTube. 2010-09-12. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2016-09-29.

External links

• Johnny Cash Billboard Singles, Allmusic.