Wildwood Weed

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from The Zoo Crew spinning the groovy vibes at THE ZOO radio station, and we’ve got a wild one for you today: Wildwood Weed by Jim Stafford from his self-titled album, Jim Stafford. This 1974 hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, is a country-western parody written by Don Bowman, with its twangy roots in The Carter Family’s Wildwood Flower. The song’s spoken-word lyrics tell a hilarious tale of two brothers discovering a “weed” on their farm that sends them on a psychedelic trip, only for a federal agent to swoop in and torch their crop—leaving them smirking on a sack of seeds. Fans on platforms like Facebook have shared nostalgic memories, with one recalling their grandmother loving the song despite denying her hillbilly roots, hinting at her own wild days running a speakeasy. Another fan, Frank Gissane from Dublin, Ireland, posted about Stafford’s genius, calling him a 50-year favorite for his comedic flair.

The song stirred some waves back in the day—many AM radio stations in the ‘60s refused to play it due to its not-so-subtle nod to marijuana, as a Marlin Firearms Forum post by a high school friend of Stafford’s pointed out. It’s a sly wink at counterculture, with Les Claypool of Primus fame even reciting it during a 1996 Phish encore in Vegas, dubbing Stafford the “Elvis Presley of redneck comedy.” A commenter on Weed Star TV noted a missing verse in some versions, which adds to the song’s cult status: “Smokin’ them wildwood flowers got to be a habit, we never seed no harm.” The tune’s crossover appeal hit Adult Contemporary charts, reaching number two in Canada, and its cheeky humor still resonates, with fans on Reddit sharing it as a 1970s gem.

Jim Stafford, born James Wayne Stafford on January 16, 1944, in Eloise, Florida, kicked off his career with a knack for music and comedy. Raised in a musical family, he taught himself guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, and harmonica, honing his skills in Winter Haven. In high school, he jammed with future stars like Bobby Braddock, Kent LaVoie (Lobo), and Gram Parsons in a band called The Legends. His big break came at 18, playing guitar on the nationally televised Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Stafford’s first chart hit, Swamp Witch, produced by Lobo, grazed the Top 40 in 1973, but it was 1974’s Spiders & Snakes, co-written with David Bellamy, that skyrocketed to number three, selling over two million copies. Wildwood Weed followed, cementing his rep for witty, offbeat tunes. He became a TV regular, appearing on The Tonight Show, hosting The Jim Stafford Show in 1975, and co-hosting Those Amazing Animals from 1980 to 1981.

You can keep up with Jim Stafford’s legacy on his official website, though he’s not active on social media like Facebook, Instagram, or X. Fans, however, keep the spirit alive. Check out the Jim Stafford Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and celebrate his quirky hits. For more, the Branson Theatre site details his long run performing in Missouri, though his theater closed in 2020. Stafford’s blend of humor and heart, from Wildwood Weed to his stage shows, keeps fans grooving to his one-of-a-kind vibe.