<P> `` Are the Good Times Really Over ( I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver ) '' is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard backed by The Strangers . It was released in May 1982 as the third single from his album Big City . The theme of the song is the desire to return to a simpler time . The song reached # 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and # 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada . </P>
who wrote the song are the good times really over for good
American country music artist Merle Haggard