About the Song
In January 1968, country star Buck Owens and crooner Dean Martin teamed up for a memorable performance of “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” on The Dean Martin Show. Though never released as a studio duet, this live television appearance has become a cherished crossover moment—where Bakersfield country swagger met Hollywood lounge sophistication.
Originally recorded by Buck Owens & The Buckaroos and released in December 1964, “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” was a defining song of Owens’ career. It shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart and even crossed into the pop Top 30—proof that his crisp, twangy Bakersfield Sound had captured hearts far beyond honky-tonks.
When Dean Martin invited Owens to perform the tune on his variety show in 1968, it wasn’t just a musical duet—it was a cultural handshake between two worlds. Dean, with his effortless charm and smooth phrasing, joined Buck in a playful back-and-forth that balanced Martin’s laid-back swing against Owens’ spirited country beat. The contrast of styles—one velvety, the other sharp and twangy—created instant chemistry.
The performance embodied the late-’60s era of television variety shows, where music bridged audiences. Country was rising, Vegas lounge acts were thriving, and artists from both sides found joy in collaboration. For many older viewers, this duet became a symbol of how American music could unite across class, geography, and style—with humor and genuine respect.
Buck’s grin, Dean’s wink, and the rollicking rhythm of “Tiger by the Tail” captured everything wonderful about that moment: two stars from different worlds sharing one stage, one laugh, and one unforgettable song.
More than fifty years later, that 1968 performance remains a treasure—a time capsule from when Nashville met Hollywood, and the result was pure, easygoing magic.
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