"Streets of Bakersfield" is a 1973 song written by Homer Joy and popularized by Buck Owens. In 1988, Owens recorded a duet version with country singer Dwight Yoakam, which became one of Yoakam's first No. 1 Hot Country Singles hits.
The song, which was written by songwriter Homer Joy, was first recorded by Buck Owens in 1972 with little success. Dwight Yoakam persuaded Buck Owens to join him on a re-make of his 1972 song. After the duo performed it on a CBS television show, they recorded and released the song, which reached No. 1 in Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles. It was the first time since 1972 that Buck Owens had a No. 1 hit. The duet version has a strong influence of local Mexican culture, including the use of a Mexican-style accordion. Accordionist Flaco Jiménez recorded the bouncy accordion accompaniment to the song, which can resemble a Mexican polka. It belongs to a sub-genre of country music known as Bakersfield sound.