"The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" is a country song written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens, who are both credited as composers. Haggard and The Strangers recorded it at Capitol Studios in Hollywood on January 31, 1968, with Ken Nelson as producer. The track runs 2:06. It was released in early 1968 as the first single and title track of the album The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde on Capitol. The B-side was "Today I Started Loving You Again", a ballad by Haggard and Owens. The song should not be confused with "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde".
The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in April 1968, holding the top spot for two weeks and remaining on the chart for 14 weeks. It was Haggard and The Strangers' fourth No. 1 on that chart. It also peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. Covers include versions by Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynette, David Allan Coe, Carl Butler and Pearl, and the bluegrass group Fast Track.
