I don’t normally listen to country music, but tonite on my way to work I happened to find a good oldies country station. A particular song caught my attention and even though I’ve only heard it once, it’s my current favorite story song. It’s called, “Opal, You Asked Me” by Tommy Collins.
Other good story songs I’ve liked are “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia”, “Patches”, “Mr Bojangles”. etc.
Lately, I’m hooked on "Pirates"by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Makes me want to be a priate! Arr! hehe
I also like their Karn Evil 9, First Impression, Part 2, because I want to use it in a play next semester 
Umm…that;s all I can think of right now. If I change the CD, I’ll come back
Fancy, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, I Sang Dixie, Streets of Bakersfield, and North to Alaska are a few of my favorite country “story” songs.
Copperhead Road
Roland the Thompson Gunner
I’m kinda fond of “Miss Otis Regrets.”
How about Harry Chapin’s “30,000 pounds of bananas”, based on a true story?
If we’re sticking to country, I’d have to say Red Sovine’s “Roses for Mama.” Oh, yeah, it’s sentimental schlock with a punch line that can be seen coming a mile away, I’ll be the first to admit, but it still gets to me every time. Marty Robbins recorded too many great story songs to mention. Hank Thompson’s “The Night Miss Nancy Ann’s Hotel for Single Girls Burned Down” is enjoyable too, if nothing else for that improbable title. And who can forget the immortal Harper Valley PTA…no matter how hard they try?
If we include other genres of music, Richard Thompson has recorded some great story songs, such as “1952 Vincent Black Lightening” and “Beeswing” (two of the best long songs ever, IMHO).
It’s not Country, but my favorite would likely be “Moonlight Shadow”, by Maggie Reilly.
Eh, forgot to mention Gram Parson’s Streets Of Baltimore, another great song.
“V.F.D.” by Michelle-Shocked
“Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” and “Angry Young Man” by Billy Joel
Since you’ve taken a fancy to Country Music, may I introduce you to Kenny Rogers.
Especially look out for:
Coward of the County.
Stranger.
Extremely touching stories, with the most amazing voice singing them.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Actually it’s “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner”, by Warren Zevon. Song doesn’t work as well if he still has his head at the end…
I will nominate Death Cab For Cutie’s absolutely stunning Styrofoam Plates
The complete lyrics are here, (scroll 2/3 way down) but I’ll give you a taste:
*there’s a saltwater film on the jar of your ashes:
i threw them to sea but a gust blew them backwards
and the sting in my eyes, that you then inflicted
was par for the course just as when you were living.
…
i’ll stand up and scream, if the mourning remain quiet,
you can deck out a lie in a suit but i won’t buy it.
…
and just cause he’s gone it doesn’t change the fact:
he was a bastard in life thus a bastard in death.*
Really good stuff.
Um, what else?
Randy Newman’s Dixie Flyer (He and his mother travel from LA to New Orleans while his father is away at war) and New Orleans Won The War (His father returns and takes the family back to LA) are well-written story songs. And also The Beastie Boys Paul Revere deserves a mention.
“Riding with Private Malone” by David Ball, I think, is my favourite. Guy gets out of the service, buys a car from the want ads. Turns out it’s a 66 Corvette (for $1000!) that was owned by Private Malone, who never came back from Vietnam. Shivery song, as the car is haunted.
There are several good ones mentioned so far in this thread.
But I’m still surprised no one brought up the classics:
You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille
Roses Cantina
Poncho and Lefty
Harper Valley PTA
Carrol County Accident
Ghost Riders in the Sky
For story songs, you can’t beat Harry Chapin. Emolson mentioned 30,000 lbs, but his whole career was putting stories to music. Some of my favorites:
Mail Order Anne
Remember when the Music
Story of a Life
Cory’s Coming
Mr. Tanner
“for every dream that’s took me high, there’s been a dream that’s took me high - I know it’s so true”
Sheesh, how could I screw it up -
“for every dream that’s took me high, there’s been a dream that’s passed me by - I know it’s so true”
Sorry, Harry
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - Traveling Wilburys