Choctaw Bingo is a southern rock song written and performed by musician James McMurtry and appears on his album Saint Mary of the Woods and Live In Aught Three. The song is very up beat with a very distinct bassline and a moving yet basic beat. Choctaw Bingo is one of Mcmurty's most popular songs.
The lyrics are told by a narrator to someone else, presumably his wife or, at least, the mother of his children. The narrator starts the song by asking the other person to pack up their children and sedate them with vodka and, later, Benadryl. Apparently, this is to keep them quiet on their trip to a family reunion taking place at a ranch belonging to the narrator's Uncle Slayton. Each verse tells a different story about a different family member, though the tune still sounds the same. The family members are...
Uncle Slayton: The whole song revolves around Slayton and his lifestyle. Slayton is described as being too old to travel yet "still pretty spry." He owns property near Eufaula Lake as well as a Holstein cow and an Airstream trailer. The more we learn about Slayton, the more we are led to conclude that he is a shady character. It is explicitly stated that Slaton cooks crystal meth and makes moonshine. He sells parcels of his property to people with bad credit with the intention of reclaiming the land when they miss a payment. It is hinted that a criminal past forced Slayton to leave Texas. It is also hinted that Slayton's current wife is a mail order bride. Slayton plays Choctaw Bingo every Friday night, which gives the song its title.
Roscoe: Slayton's oldest son from a previous marriage. He was raised in East St. Louis, IL by his "momma's people." Roscoe has nothing better to do than to just "Come on Down" so he sets off in a Semi Truck from an unspecified location and makes a few stops. He ends up in an accident with another driver who runs a stop light. It is not clear whether Roscoe was injured in the accident nor whether he will attend the reunion.
Bob and Mae: Husband and wife couple who's status in the family is unknown. Bob coaches a football team which is facing its first losing season in two years. They purchase a cache of guns en route to Slayton's including an SKS rifle, a Desert Eagle and some military surplus tracer bullets for Slayton's Browning Automatic Rifle.
Ruth-Anne and Lynn: Sisters and second cousins to the narrator. They live in Baxter Springs, Kansas which is described as a rough town. Ruth-Anne and Lynn are attractive and like to wear scanty clothes. The narrator describes, in some detail, the inappropriate sexual feelings this arouses in him. (James McMurtry says this is the "Good Part" at live performances)
Choctaw Bingo is James McMurtry's most famous song. At live performance there is a section at the front of the stage where people dance. When he plays this song the section is nearly packed and every one is hopping around, hooting and hollering.
The song also appears on the soundtrack for the movie Beer For My Horses.[1]
In 2009, American writer Ron Rosenbaum, writing for Slate, nominated Choctaw Bingo as a new national anthem for the United States.[2] Rosenbaum argues that the themes of the song are a perfect and prophetic metaphor for life in a post-financial crash America.
  | It's time for a new national anthem: "Choctaw Bingo." - It's time for a new national anthem: "Choctaw Bingo." - By Ron Rosenbaum - Slate Magazine |
| | Various Artists - 'Beer for My Horses' Soundtrack - Beer for My Horses Soundtrack - Profile of Toby Keith's Movie 'Beer for My Horses' |
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