Introduction:
“Tulsa Queen” is a song by country music icon Emmylou Harris, released in 1977 as part of her album Luxury Liner. This album was her fourth studio release, and it helped to solidify her place in the country music scene during the 1970s. Luxury Liner blends country with elements of folk and rock, a style that Harris is well-known for.
The song “Tulsa Queen” was co-written by Harris and Rodney Crowell, a frequent collaborator. It tells the story of a woman reflecting on her lost love, with imagery of a train bound for Tulsa, Oklahoma, serving as a symbol of that distance and longing. The train, “Tulsa Queen,” becomes a metaphor for the pain of separation and moving on, themes that run deep in many of Harris’s works.
Although “Tulsa Queen” was not released as a single, Luxury Liner as a whole was well-received, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album helped Harris earn a strong following, with critics praising her mix of traditional country roots and a more modern, crossover appeal. Harris’s voice, paired with the song’s melancholy lyrics and smooth production, captures the heartache that “Tulsa Queen” conveys.
Emmylou Harris is often credited with shaping the sound of modern country music by merging older influences with new sounds, and “Tulsa Queen” is a great example of her ability to tell a deep, emotional story through song.