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4 classic Cross-Canadian Ragweed songs that capture the band's unique sound

Cross Canadian Ragweed was formed in Oklahoma in the mid-90s. The band originally consisted of Grady Cross (guitar), Cody Canada (lead guitar/vocals), Randy Ragsdale (drums), and Choya Partridge (bass). However, shortly after forming, Partridge left the band and Jeremy Plato took his place in the lower half. The four-piece band released a total of ten albums – three live albums and seven studio albums – and helped establish the red dirt sound that Oklahoma and Texas are known for today.

The band's influences included Southern rock greats like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band, as well as acts like AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. They also took inspiration from country legends like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Robert Earl Keen. The result was a sound that fans across the country loved. However, it left them a little too rocky for country radio and a little too country for rock radio. As a result, despite four consecutive top 10 country albums, their singles weren't very successful on the charts.

[RELATED: Cross Canadian Ragweed Purge Social Media, Reactivate Website Hinting That Something Is Coming in 2025]

The band had a great time. But all good things must come to an end. The group split up in 2010 after almost 15 years together. However, fans across the country are still cranking up their music and hoping that the country rock quartet will one day put aside their differences and start a reunion.

For over a decade, former members of Cross Canadian Ragweed have publicly rejected calls for a reunion, but recent events have fans wondering if they've changed their minds and are ready to put the band on the road again. With that in mind, here are a few songs to refresh the memories of longtime fans or prepare new listeners for what the band has in store for the future.

“Boys from Oklahoma” – The humor of the Canadian ragweed plant comes into its own

“Boys from Oklahoma” did not appear on any of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s studio albums. However, it was a staple of their live shows. Listeners can find two versions of it. The first appeared on the 2001 album Live & Loud at the Wormy Dog SaloonThe other version is version 2002, Live and loud at Billy Bob's Texas.

For the uninitiated, “Boys from Oklahoma” isn’t a song about how proud they are to be from the Sooner State. Rather, it’s a humorous track about how bad the Okies are at rolling joints.

“Alabama” – A song so good they released it twice

Cross Canadian Ragweed first released “Alabama” on their second album in 2001 Highway 377. Despite its softer sound, the track fully showcases the band's grunge influences. They re-recorded it for their classic 2004 album. Soul sauceThis version had a harder sound, but was no less catchy.

The band released the reworked version of the second and final single from “Soul Gravy”. It reached number 46 on the Billboard Charts with the hottest country songs.

“Sick and Tired” – Cross Canadian Ragweed teams up with Lee Ann Womack

“Sick and Tired” is played right after tracks like “Alabama” and highlights Cross Canadian Ragweed's musical range. The track, which peaked at number 46 on the country charts, features Lee Ann Womack on backing vocals. Driven by acoustic guitar and Womack and Canada's vocal harmonies, this track is Red Dirt gold.

“Fightin' For” – the band’s most successful single

“Fightin' For” showcases Cross Canadian Ragweed's Southern rock influences to the full. It also shows how well the band blends their different influences. They released the track as the first single from their 2005 album garage and it reached number 39 on the country charts, giving the band their only top 40 single.

Featured image by Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

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