Merle Haggard Songs
Vinyl Record Memories of
A Country Music Legend.
Merle Haggard songs, vinyl records and albums have always been favorites in my collection.
When I listen to one of his songs and read what all he's been through, it's easy to understand why Merle probably wrote most of the song lyrics about his own life and the hard times he grew up in.
Of all the country music greats, Merle’s story might be the most symbolic of the American experience, from growing up in California during the Depression, to spending time in prison, to becoming a rags to riches story.
But when it comes to influencing country music itself, few this side of the legendary Hank Williams can say they’ve left a bigger footprint.
Haggard, along with Buck Owens, created the “Bakersfield Sound,” a style of country music, a mix of electric guitars and pedal steel guitars that was popular in the bars and honky tonks of Bakersfield, California, a town about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.
Of all the country singers, I believe Merle has the best "Makes it sound so easy" voice in the business. As you watch the videos you will see why I believe Merle is truly a one of a kind country singer.
One of my favorite Merle Haggard songs, "The Roots of my Raising" reminds me of my early years growing up in the midwest. In an early verse in the song Merle sings......
"Three miles down a gravel road, I could see the proud old home---A tribute to a way of life that's almost come and gone."
How true that is today. It would be hard for anyone that did not grow up in the fifties and sixties, and seventies to really understand how carefree and simple life really was.
Merle Haggard Songs and Favorite Album.
I listened to Merle in the sixties but when I purchased his album "The Fightin' Side of Me" in 1970 he became my favorite country artist.
Merle Haggard wrote like people talk. That sounds easy. It’s not. Country music as a genre is stripped down straight talk, but no one did it quite like Haggard. Haggard’s writing always read more like a monologue. A conversation on a porch. It sounded like people talking.
The "Fightin' Side" live album is one of the best live
recordings I have in my collection. It is an original album I still have today in excellent condition.
Merle's Awards and Vinyl Record Memories.
Merle has 38 number one songs and here is a list of his numerous awards.
Below is some of my favorite recordings by Merle. I have placed videos with each set of lyrics so you can see how Merle's style has never really changed in over fifty years. I believe the song "Misery and Gin" is one of the best bar room songs ever written. Just my opinion.
Merle's duet with Jewel on "That's The Way Love Goes" with full orchestra will have you playing the video over and over. My favorite on this "Fightin' Side" album is "I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am," and Merle's perfect renditions of Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins songs will have you believing they're singing live on stage with him.
Sadly, one of the great country legends of our time, died on his birthday, April 6, 2016. God Bless you Merle Haggard for making country music a pleasure to listen to and the way it should be played.
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Pride In What I Am | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories
"I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am" is a fan favorite from the 1970, "Fightin' Side of Me" live album. The introduction says it all. The Houselights blink, then dim. The crowd quiets. Then the intro and the man they've been waiting for. This is Merle Haggard - Live!
Silver Wings Lyrics | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories.
The Silver Wings Lyrics was written by Merle Haggard based on a plane trip. Romanticizing an airplane’s “silver wings” that took away his lover, Haggard sang so intimately that you wondered if you were eavesdropping.
Mama Tried Lyrics | Merle Haggard 1968 Vinyl Record Memories
Mama Tried Lyrics looks back on hard times as Merle Haggard tried to focus on the pain and suffering he caused his mother after being placed in San Quentin prison in 1957. His songwriting always seemed to take you with him and make you feel the hurt he experienced.
Misery and Gin Vinyl Memories | Merle Haggard Barroom Favorites
Misery and Gin was the first single off the album, "Back to The Barrooms," and the words alone make this one a true honky-tonk classic. Grab a cold one, add a couple of notches to the volume control. Your evening with classic honky-tonk is just gettin' started.
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold | Merle Haggard vinyl record memories
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again, performed by Merle Haggard in 2004 at Texas honky tonk, Billy Bob's. Merle performs 21 songs and the entrance of the talented Janie Fricke singing back-up on this number was a welcome bonus for all.
Just Stay Here And Drink | Merle Haggard "Back to The Barrooms"
Merle Haggard features another great barroom song, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," a number-one song from the album, "Back to The Barrooms," filled with songs of bars, booze and the blues. Considered by many to be one of the finest stand alone country albums ever.
That's The Way Love Goes Lyrics | Merle Haggard duet with Jewel.
That's The Way Love Goes was a #1 song for both Johnny Rodriguez and Merle Haggard, ten years apart. Haggard's version possesses a trace of sadness that somehow becomes uplifting mainly because of his masterful delivery of words and this duet with Jewel is solid gold.
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star was co-written by Merle Haggard with Freddie Powers in 1987 and was the last of his thirty eight number one singles as a solo artist. Haggard wishes upon a star not for riches but for reconciliation with a lover, with a bit of doo-wop influence.
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Merle Haggard Live!
Enjoy some toe-taping honky tonk classics on these two great DVD's.
Best Train Song Ever?
The City of New Orleans is a well-written train song with a beautiful message. If you love the song you probably like trains. If you like trains, this song is sure to delight you. Come with me and Ride That Train.
"Cattle Call Duet"
Cattle Call was originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1945, and re-recorded in 1955. Forty years later, Eddy Arnold joined 13-year-old Texan LeAnn Rimes on a version of "Cattle Call" for her 1996 Curb debut album, Blue. Read more.
"Crazy"
Best jukebox song ever?
Give me a old dusty dark bar with Patsy on the jukebox and a cold one at the ready. It just doesn't get any better than that. Read more...
Country Cheatin' Songs.
Send Me Down To Tucson, one of the all time classic country cheating songs that finds the singer having a torrid affair with a lover in another city and state. Read more...
