I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail – Buck Owens and the Buckaroos

“I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” is a country song performed by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. It was written by Harlan Howard and Buck Owens and released as a single in 1965. The song became one of Buck Owens‘ biggest hits and a classic in the country music genre.

The lyrics of the song tell the story of a man who finds himself in a challenging and overwhelming situation, using the metaphor of having a tiger by the tail. The phrase “I’ve got a tiger by the tail” is a way of expressing being in a difficult or precarious situation that is hard to control.

The upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation of the song, featuring Owens’ signature twangy guitar sound, contributed to its success. “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and also crossed over to the pop charts, reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song is considered a classic example of the Bakersfield sound, a subgenre of country music that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by a raw and stripped-down sound with a focus on twangy guitars and honky-tonk elements. Buck Owens and the Buckaroos were key figures in popularizing the Bakersfield sound, and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” is a quintessential representation of their style.

Over the years, the song has been covered by various artists, and its catchy chorus and memorable melody have ensured its enduring popularity in the realm of country music. “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” remains a classic in Buck Owens’ discography and is often remembered as one of the defining hits of his career.