The 10 Best Hoyt Axton Songs of All-Time

Hoyt Axton is a household name when it comes to folk music. He was a man with a big heart and a mind constantly creating new music. During his life, Hoyt Axton wrote hundreds of songs that have been recorded by artists all over the world. He wrote songs that have become famous, but some songs he wrote are better than the ones for which he’s famous. From America to Vietnam, Hoyt Axton has his name everywhere. Hoyt Wayne Axton was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor prominent in the early 1960s. He established himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style that led to country music success. Though he grew up in Arizona and California, his songs were strongly influenced by his Oklahoma roots. Axton began singing folk songs after his discharge from the Navy in the early 1960s. He released The Balladeer, his first folk album, in 1963. Axton recorded numerous albums between the 1960s and ’70s and many minor hits of his own but only one major hit (“Joy to the World”). Even though he isn’t with us anymore, his music lives on. Hoyt Axton died of a heart attack in 1999 at 61, but his music won’t be forgotten. Here are the top 10 Hoyt Axton songs of all time:

10. Evangelina (1976)

 

“Evangelina” song is about a woman named Evangelina. While Hoyt Axton is singing, he tells the story of his relationship with Evangelina. He describes how he walked into a bar and saw her sitting there. She was singing a song that made him fall in love with her. He takes her back to his place and spends the night with her, only for it to be over when Hoyt wakes up the following day. This song has some excellent guitar work, which makes this one a must-listen.

9. Sweet Misery (1973)

 

The “Sweet Misery “was released in 1973 on Axton’s album, Less Than the Song. This song is about drug addiction and how an addict can have someone who loves them but continue using drugs. Hoyt Axton describes how the drug takes over their life and doesn’t let them go. He loves a woman, but he’s afraid to tell her because she doesn’t smoke weed like him. He wants to take her away and show her the world. He knows if she smokes, she’ll love him forever. This song is underrated, and people would like it if they gave it a chance.

8. Somebody Turned on the Light (1973)

 

“Somebody Turned on the Light” is about a man who takes his family back to Mississippi. He tells them all about their heritage, but they don’t want to know anything about the past. They only care about what’s in front of them right now. This song is great because it shows how things have changed in our world today. If you are looking for something different with the same great sound, then you should check out this song.

7. Wild Bull Rider (1979)

 

“Wild Bull Rider” is all about a man riding a wild bull and how he wants to be on that bull. He wants to ride that night worldwide and through the streets just as long as the sun is shining. This song has some cool guitar licks that set it apart from other pieces by Hoyt Axton. It was released in 1979 on the album, A Rusty Old Halo. This song would go great in a playlist with songs like “I’ve Always Been Crazy” and “If You Want to Get to Heaven.”

6. Never Been to Spain (1971)

 

“Never Been to Spain” is another of Hoyt Axton’s popular songs. It was a significant hit for Three Dog Night in 1971 and became famous worldwide. This song has some excellent guitar work and instrumentals, and if you like Spanish-flavored music or blues music, this song is for you. It’s all about not knowing what he has missed out on because he’s never been to Spain. He knows that many great things are in Spain, but he doesn’t know. This song is about how life is full of surprises if you’re willing to take the risk and experience it all.

5. Boney Fingers (1979)

 

If you have weak guitar work, then “Boney Fingers” is a must-listen. This song was released in 1979 on Hoyt Axton’s album, Life Machine. Even though this song was not as popular as his others, it has been recognized by many people as one of his great songs. You can sing along or sit back and enjoy the strumming of the guitar. This song is unique because you find something new that you missed out on before each time you listen to it.

4. No No Song (1975)

 

The “No No Song” was first released in 1975 on Hoyt Axton’s album, Southbound. This song goes out to all people trying to make it big in the music industry. He tells them all they have to say “No No” or no thanks because they can’t do this independently. You need someone at your side that has got what it takes. Even though this song is about the music business, people can relate to it because everyone has had someone like this in their lives. The beat and lyrics make this song a must-hear for music fans worldwide.

3. Della And The Dealer (1979)

 

“Della and the Dealer” took Hoyt Axton back to his roots because this song was recorded in only one take! He wrote the lyrics and then went into the studio just before midnight. The following day, he woke up to find that they had recorded it without any problems. This song sounds like something you would listen to on your way home from work at night. It’s all about Della, the dealer of heroin. She is trying to convince him that one more hit won’t hurt. He doesn’t want anything to do with her because he knows exactly what she’s trying to do. This song epitomizes Hoyt Axton’s skills as a musician and writer because it was all done in one take!

2. The Pusher (1971)

 

“The Pusher” shows how addiction can destroy a family. It was released in 1971 on Hoyt Axton’s album, Joy to the World. In this song, Hoyt Axton is singing from the perspective of a drug dealer and his wife. The wife is not very happy with her life because she feels that her husband is always working for the man instead of being at home. When he’s home, all he does is talk about his next job or how much money he makes. Then one night, Hoyt Axton comes over to their apartment and tells them about the future he sees for them both if they get into the drug-dealing business. The wife agrees, but she later learns that she cannot quit because her husband has gotten them into it. This song is all about being addicted to making money and how it can change your life for the worse if you are not careful.

1. Joy to the world (1971)

 

“Joy to the World” is Hoyt Axton’s most famous song because of Three Dog Night. The song was first recorded by Hoyt Axton on his third album, Joy to the World, in 1971. It was soon adopted as a Christmas carol and released by Three Dog Night on their album, Naturally, just eight months later. By 1978, this song had hit the Top 20 on the pop charts. Since then, it has been covered by many artists and is still very popular today. It has even been used for several different commercials and movies. This song is about how there is always hope that it will get better no matter what happens.

Conclusion

Hoyt Axton was a very talented singer, songwriter, and actor. He will always be remembered for his great contributions to the music industry. Not only did he have some of the best songs of all time, but also he was one of the first artists to use social messages in his music. Many people think that “Joy to the World” is his best song, but I believe that “The Pusher” really defined him. It was fast-paced and all about how people can be addicted to money.