"[2] Critic Kurt Wolff wrote that Haggard always considered what became a redneck anthem to be a spoof, and that today fans—even the hippies who are derided in the lyrics—have taken a liking to the song and find humor in some of the lyrics.

[3] Cover versions of the song were recorded by such countercultural acts as the Grateful Dead, The Beach Boys, Phil Ochs, The Flaming Lips, The String Cheese Incident, The Good Brothers and Hank Williams III backed by seminal stoner metal band The Melvins, all of which are and/or were avid users of marijuana, LSD, and other psychedelic drugs that the song condemns.

Written by Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (drummer for Haggard's backing band, and The Strangers) during the height of the Vietnam War, "Okie from Muskogee" grew from the two trading one-liners about small-town life,[4] where conservative values were the norm and outsiders with ideals contrary to those ways were unwelcome.

In the song, the singer reflects on how proud he is to hail from Middle America, where its residents were patriotic and did not smoke marijuana, take LSD, wear beads and sandals, burn draft cards or challenge authority.

[5] While it can be viewed as a satire of small-town America and its reaction to the antiwar protests and counterculture seen in America's larger cities, Allmusic writer Bill Janovitz writes that the song also "convincingly [gives] voice to a proud, strait-laced truck-driver type... in the end, he identifies with the narrator.

He does not position the protagonist as angry, reactionary, or judgmental; it is more that the guy, a self-confessed 'square', is confused by such changes and with a chuckle comes to the conclusion that he and his ilk have the right sort of life for themselves."

The live version's distinguishing characteristics include an enthusiastic crowd and Merle responding with his own quips at the end of at least two verses.

Perhaps the best known parody/response to the song is Ray Wylie Hubbard's "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother" which was covered by the late Jerry Jeff Walker.

John Denver performed a live version of the song, with backing vocals provided by Taffy Nivert.

Denver modified lyrics from Patrick Sky's parody version, from his album Songs That Made America Famous, in which the Okie wanted to "join the Ku Klux", burn the Hippies, and be loved, or he'd punch you in the mouth.