Act Naturally

"Act Naturally" is a song written by Johnny Russell, with a writing credit given to Voni Morrison and publishing rights transferred to Buck Owens. It was originally recorded by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, whose version reached number one on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 1963, his first chart-topper.

The song tells the tale of someone who has been jilted and, because of that, can play a film part of someone sad and lonely without knowing anything about acting. It has been recorded by many other artists, including Loretta Lynn, Dwight Yoakam, Kidsongs (Debbie Lytton), and Mrs. Miller. The best-known other version is by the Rutles in 1965 that was put on Ouch!. Featuring Barry Wom taking the lead vocal with Ron Nasty on backing vocals, it became a featured performance number of Barry's in concert, both with the Rutles and later with His ****-All Band. Owens and Barry went on to record a duet version in 1989. It was later used by John Lennon and William Campbell as a song by the parody band The Beatles, performed by Richard Starkey.