Love Merle. He was an inmate when Johnny Cash recorded the famous concert and released it as an album. Johnny Cash at San Quentin. It inspired Merle to write songs and perform, luckily for us!
The recorded concert was in 1969 - Merle was locked up in 1958 when Johnny did his first prison concert - that was when Merle decided to try music instead of crime. Merle was paroled in 1960 and never tried crime again. By 1969 Merle had several albums out, with several major hits.
Merle Haggard is a legend. I'm from the same part of California as him. Check out "Okie From Muskogee", "The Fightin' Side of Me", "Workin Man Blues", "Mama Tried", "Tulare Dust", "Irma Jackson", and "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive" among others. Haggard went to prison for armed robbery in the late 1950's. He served three years of time and was paroled in 1960. Ronald Reagan, California governor at the time, granted him a pardon in 1972. "Okie From Muskogee" went over big with political conservatives back then. He mellowed a lot in his old age.
To continue your list there's "Rainbow Stew", "Silver Wings", "Always Wanting You", "Moving On", "Barroom Buddies (with Clint Eastwood)", "Swinging Doors", "Footlights", "The Bottle Let Me Down", "Think I'll Stay Here And Drink", "Are The Good Times Really Over", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Let's Chase Each Other (Around The Room Tonight)", "Pancho & Lefty (with Willie Nelson)", "Rambling Fever", "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star", "Ole Man From The Mountain", "Big City", "My Favorite Memory", "Misery & Gin", "If We Make It Through December", "That's The Way Love Goes", "The Way I Am". I'd better stop here for now.
@@edford1693 His Dust Bowl Music; Tulare Dust, One Row at a Time, Hungry Eyes, California Cottonfields. Hungry Eyes tells of the hopelessness of being poor migrants. Tulare Dust tells of working and being exploited in the paradise they thought California was, but turned out not to be. One Row at a time, about a drifter migrant with no home, working his way back to his family. California Cottonfields about the hope of leaving Oklahoma, to go to the paradise that was supposed to be California. These songs tell the plight of poor Oklahomans, and other Midwesterners, collectively called "Okies." A class of people treated with gross disrespect to the point of torture. All because they were looking a better way of life, and willing to work for it, because they came from nothing. You will get an understanding of the Great Depression, you don't get from a book. I got what I know from my relatives who lived it. Merle lived it as did my father.
@@mt3311 I have Merle's "Down Every Road" box set and it has those songs you mentioned on it. It has the songs I mentioned except for "Movin' On" & "Barroom Buddies". Oh yeah, "Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose/Wondering where the freight train goes....." 😁
For me, the very best Merle is in his duet with Willie Nelson, "Pancho and Lefty". When Merle breaks in with his verse, it just takes my breath away. Probably the richest voice in the business when he was in his prime.
The very, very tall man to merles far right is Ray Benson. His group is called Asleep At the Wheel. They are really worth a listen. I knew Ray when I was young and he was young and just starting out in Texas. There is nothing he doesn’t k ow about music. He has a show on Saturday mornings in public television in the states that introduces new young talent to the country and to study country music and all types of music. Really cool guy. “Big Balls in Cowtown” is one of my faves. And you couldn’t find a song by The Hag. Silver Wings is one of the best. And don williams. What a singer. “Amanda” is a beautiful beautiful song by Don Williams”.
I first heard this song when I was 10 or 11. I've loved it ever since. The Hag is one of the greatest songwriters God ever gave breath to, and one of the most compelling vocalists ever
Brilliant reaction as always Harri!!! Merle was a country great!!! R.I.P.. I know you would probably enjoy a couple more of his. "Momma Tried" and " You're walking on the Fightin" side of me". Cheers!!!! By the way Merle really did pull 3 years in San Quentin Prison!!
He was just amazing live. I've seen him twice. He opened for George Jones. (when they showed up, but when they didn't, we were blessed to have been stood up by the best. ) A memory I am proud to have. Peace to all.
Merle is one of the great song writers, very productive like Dylan or Young and his singing is timeless. I'd suggest "Are the good times really over for good", Today I started loving you again, or Swingin' door's, those are really good Merle songs, as are many others ....thanks for trying out Merle.
When I was a child, my parents were in groups that worked to save the California deserts and wilderness, including the Westerners and the Death Valley Forty-Niners. I spent several weekends with my parents in Kernville, where they were attending group meetings, and I would frolic with my siblings along the rocky shores of the Kern River. Please listen to 'Kern River' by Merle Haggard. There is a beautiful live version. He grew up not far from Kernville, in Bakersfield, CA, the child of 'Oakies' who had left Oklahoma during the dust storm famine of the late '30s. He writes about the Kern River - a deceptively dangerous river - and also Mt. Whitney and many of the beautiful rural areas in interior California that my parents fought to preserve. So "Kern River", his song about the tragic loss in the river of a loved one, is my favorite of his for these reasons. Even if you don't react to it on line, please take a listen. It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
When you heard this song, you stated that you felt like you had just been to church... Well, you have just been to church. Merle Haggard, "The Hag" was one of the BEST singer/songwriters to ever live. I have met him a few times over the years, and he always remembered me from the first time we met, and I am just a huge fan of his. How he remembered me was amazing, and I will never forget that he made me feel special, as I am sure he did with all of his fans. I hope you listen to his whole library, he was and is something special.
Merle grew up dirt poor in a converted boxcar in Bakersfield, Ca. At age 20, he was in San Quentin prison where he saw Johnny Cash perform. Inspired by the performance, he started recording after his release in 1960, and rest is history.
My Italian immigrant father used the music of Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, and Johnny Cash to help him develop his English skills. Not a bad trio to grow up with, but something about Merle's voice grabs me hardest. He was an absolute legend among legends. The suggestions other commenters have made are spot on and worth listening to. Cool channel, Harrie. 👍 I love following people who love music as much as you do.
I really love Don's version of this song!! I like alot of Don Williams songs. This is a Merle song, but Don did do a fine version of it. Merle was actually in San Quentin prison when he was younger.
Merle was incarcerated a lot during his youth, grew up in the depression era. I heard he'd drive up to the gate of the prison trying to get back in because it was so hard for him on the outside of those bars. One of his friends got on death row. He got into singing because of Johnny Cash performing at his prison.
You hit the nail on the head when you said Haggard's song made you "feel connected and a bit uneasy as well"..... Just listening to one of his songs and you got it! Haggard wrote that song and so many, many more....please listen to more of his music, you won't be disappointed. Also, you need to hear him in his younger years.....thank you for appreciating who many country fans consider the greatest country singer, songwriter there has ever been. He can play the Fender too,,,he also was an accomplished fiddler player!
Merle wrote this about a man he knew in prison this reminds me of someone I no longer have who used so sing at church from time to time I got to see Merle years ago
I’m an old 64yr rocker, but I love me some Merle Haggard this real country music, the Hagg as he was called is a country music legend and he knows something about being in prison, he and his buddies were going to break into a hardware store after it closed so in the meantime they got drunk and went through a back window in the alley thinking the store was already closed only to find out the store was still opened when they got inside, while in prison he and two other prisoners had planned an escape, Merle backed out at the last minute and one of them was killed trying escape, Merle has a very deep catalog of music, you should check out one he did with Willie Nelson called Poncho and lefty, the Hagg was quite the hell raiser and outlaw in his early days
merle haggard and GeorgeJones are two best country singers ever the person in this song was going to the electric chair and he wants to hear this sone one more time
I always say music is the number one reason I believe in God it can make you feel some much from tears of a old memory to think about things you never know.
Merle didn’t write “If I Could Only Fly” (Blaze Foley wrote it) but Merle recorded it and said it was the most beautiful Country song ever written. I think you’d love that, too.
This song is about men on death row in prison , and it's from the prospective of one being walked down to his execution asking the singers to sing a song his Mother use to sing to him.
Harry.glad ur ckin this one out-the hag!-none btr for REAL OLD TIME country.a giant in music!grew up on him and others. Love old country!great reaction. His voice!!-country.and he WAS in prison..but not for life. .keep them commin. Ill keep cking them out with you… Again❤️👍🤓🤓 he will take you to church..the church of country music.should ve heard him at 25!! Fantastic…dan.northern florida. Usa..9/16/21-7:00 pm. Est!..
Merle Haggard had breathing issues which affected his voice in his later years. He didn't stop preforming until right before his death. Great analysis Harri! I still miss Merle.
Merle Haggard is revered as a genius singer/songwriter. His songs have been covered in concert by well over a hundred musicians and groups, including the Grateful Dead (who covered this particular song in about 40 concerts and also covered Mama Tried), to Joan Baez, Marianne Faithfull, Lee Mathis, Dwight Yocum, Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, and on and on.
Grew up on merl. I play a lot of his songs on,guitar. He was great song writer. Wrote most of his songs. He did time in jail his self when he was young.
"Today I Started Loving You Again," Loneliness is Eating Me Alive" accompanied by Glen Campbell... GREAT guitar. You MUST hear his younger voice. The "Branded Man" album is fantastic.
He is a legend, his music library is huge, I would suggest Mama Tried should be next
Studio version of Mama Tried definitely next.
Silver Wings
Merle Haggard is a legend in country music.
The last song that Merle Haggard done before he passed, with Willie Nelson called...It's All Going to Pot!!
His voice has never changed every day he sang it was always the same
Loved Merle so much. He sings so smooth. He's had so many great songs. Try "Silver Wings". Great loss to us.
Love Silver Wings, with that piano riff. My other favorite is Its All In The Movies... Great sax solo in this one.
Hope you can do more Merle..he wrote his own songs, mainly from personal experience
I have always loved merle haggards music lonesome fugitive and momma's hungry eyes and momma tried are good ones to check out
I adore the Hag. How about If We Make It Through December and That's the Way Love Goes - they are on RUclips (everything is on RUclips. lol)
He’s a country treasure
Love Merle.
He was an inmate when Johnny Cash recorded the famous concert and released it as an album.
Johnny Cash at San Quentin.
It inspired Merle to write songs and perform, luckily for us!
The recorded concert was in 1969 - Merle was locked up in 1958 when Johnny did his first prison concert - that was when Merle decided to try music instead of crime. Merle was paroled in 1960 and never tried crime again.
By 1969 Merle had several albums out, with several major hits.
Great country legend. Need to do Mama tried or Poncho and Lefty for a real shot of country gold.
Another beauty is You're my favorite memory of all. ❤
Merle Haggard is my favorite
Merle Haggard is a legend. I'm from the same part of California as him. Check out "Okie From Muskogee", "The Fightin' Side of Me", "Workin Man Blues", "Mama Tried", "Tulare Dust", "Irma Jackson", and "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive" among others. Haggard went to prison for armed robbery in the late 1950's. He served three years of time and was paroled in 1960. Ronald Reagan, California governor at the time, granted him a pardon in 1972. "Okie From Muskogee" went over big with political conservatives back then. He mellowed a lot in his old age.
To continue your list there's "Rainbow Stew", "Silver Wings", "Always Wanting You", "Moving On", "Barroom Buddies (with Clint Eastwood)", "Swinging Doors", "Footlights", "The Bottle Let Me Down", "Think I'll Stay Here And Drink", "Are The Good Times Really Over", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Let's Chase Each Other (Around The Room Tonight)", "Pancho & Lefty (with Willie Nelson)", "Rambling Fever", "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star", "Ole Man From The Mountain", "Big City", "My Favorite Memory", "Misery & Gin", "If We Make It Through December", "That's The Way Love Goes", "The Way I Am". I'd better stop here for now.
@@edford1693 His Dust Bowl Music; Tulare Dust, One Row at a Time, Hungry Eyes, California Cottonfields. Hungry Eyes tells of the hopelessness of being poor migrants. Tulare Dust tells of working and being exploited in the paradise they thought California was, but turned out not to be. One Row at a time, about a drifter migrant with no home, working his way back to his family. California Cottonfields about the hope of leaving Oklahoma, to go to the paradise that was supposed to be California. These songs tell the plight of poor Oklahomans, and other Midwesterners, collectively called "Okies." A class of people treated with gross disrespect to the point of torture. All because they were looking a better way of life, and willing to work for it, because they came from nothing. You will get an understanding of the Great Depression, you don't get from a book. I got what I know from my relatives who lived it. Merle lived it as did my father.
@@mt3311
I have Merle's "Down Every Road" box set and it has those songs you mentioned on it. It has the songs I mentioned except for "Movin' On" & "Barroom Buddies".
Oh yeah, "Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose/Wondering where the freight train goes....." 😁
@@edford1693 "mom and dad picking on a double row." I have picked cotton, and cut lettuce and broccoli on double rows.
For me, the very best Merle is in his duet with Willie Nelson, "Pancho and Lefty". When Merle breaks in with his verse, it just takes my breath away. Probably the richest voice in the business when he was in his prime.
The very, very tall man to merles far right is Ray Benson. His group is called Asleep At the Wheel. They are really worth a listen. I knew Ray when I was young and he was young and just starting out in Texas. There is nothing he doesn’t k ow about music. He has a show on Saturday mornings in public television in the states that introduces new young talent to the country and to study country music and all types of music. Really cool guy. “Big Balls in Cowtown” is one of my faves. And you couldn’t find a song by The Hag. Silver Wings is one of the best. And don williams. What a singer. “Amanda” is a beautiful beautiful song by Don Williams”.
May he rest in peace loved his style and voice.
Listen to Mama’s Hungry Eyes. Beautiful!
One of the best ever, he will never be replicated. The world is a lesser place without him,RIP
Such a wonderful song cannot wait to see your reaction love you
I first heard this song when I was 10 or 11. I've loved it ever since. The Hag is one of the greatest songwriters God ever gave breath to, and one of the most compelling vocalists ever
In my opinion the best singer of all time & great guitar player as well
Play Lonely Fugitive, and Today I started Loving You Again.
You'll get his young voice, if you go back to the 60's,
and 70's.
Brilliant reaction as always Harri!!! Merle was a country great!!! R.I.P.. I know you would probably enjoy a couple more of his. "Momma Tried" and " You're walking on the Fightin" side of me". Cheers!!!! By the way Merle really did pull 3 years in San Quentin Prison!!
He was in San Quentin when Johnny Cash played there.
That's what made Merle Haggard decide he was going to get into singing. Thnx to Johnny Cash or we might not have Merle's music!!
My favorite by this consumate performer; this and "Silver Wings" gets me everytime. Or perhaps "Tonight the bottle let me down" 👍🏽
Also check "Kennedy Center Honors Mere Haggard".
He was just amazing live. I've seen him twice. He opened for George Jones.
(when they showed up, but when they didn't, we were blessed to have been stood up by the best. )
A memory I am proud to have. Peace to all.
He has such great songs. I really love Silver Wings (my father would sing that one) and If We Make It Through December 🎶🎵
Merle is my favorite!
Merle’s sons are great🇮🇪❤️
Merle is one of the great song writers, very productive like Dylan or Young and his singing is timeless. I'd suggest "Are the good times really over for good", Today I started loving you again, or Swingin' door's, those are really good Merle songs, as are many others ....thanks for trying out Merle.
Such a beautiful voice. Love his music
Thank you for showing me he was fabulous believe me I seen him in person God bless him 🙏🙏🙏
You made a wise choice, Merle live is the way to go!
So glad to see another man of a different color appreciate this music!
Merle’s writing, mixed with his voice, a must continue.
Hari, Please React to: Someday When Things Are Good (I’m gonna leave you)
I have listened many years to Merle and I feel the same as you.
When I was a child, my parents were in groups that worked to save the California deserts and wilderness, including the Westerners and the Death Valley Forty-Niners. I spent several weekends with my parents in Kernville, where they were attending group meetings, and I would frolic with my siblings along the rocky shores of the Kern River. Please listen to 'Kern River' by Merle Haggard. There is a beautiful live version. He grew up not far from Kernville, in Bakersfield, CA, the child of 'Oakies' who had left Oklahoma during the dust storm famine of the late '30s. He writes about the Kern River - a deceptively dangerous river - and also Mt. Whitney and many of the beautiful rural areas in interior California that my parents fought to preserve. So "Kern River", his song about the tragic loss in the river of a loved one, is my favorite of his for these reasons. Even if you don't react to it on line, please take a listen. It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
When you heard this song, you stated that you felt like you had just been to church... Well, you have just been to church. Merle Haggard, "The Hag" was one of the BEST singer/songwriters to ever live. I have met him a few times over the years, and he always remembered me from the first time we met, and I am just a huge fan of his. How he remembered me was amazing, and I will never forget that he made me feel special, as I am sure he did with all of his fans. I hope you listen to his whole library, he was and is something special.
I absolutely LOVED Merle. Have all his albums.
Merle was Great!
Still gives me chills Senor. Peace, Love!!
Merle grew up dirt poor in a converted boxcar in Bakersfield, Ca. At age 20, he was in San Quentin prison where he saw Johnny Cash perform. Inspired by the performance, he started recording after his release in 1960, and rest is history.
Silver Wings, Branded Man
No this is a fantastic version
Hi, Merle was one of the greatest🇮🇪❤️🇮🇪❤️
My Italian immigrant father used the music of Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, and Johnny Cash to help him develop his English skills. Not a bad trio to grow up with, but something about Merle's voice grabs me hardest. He was an absolute legend among legends. The suggestions other commenters have made are spot on and worth listening to.
Cool channel, Harrie. 👍 I love following people who love music as much as you do.
Your hearing the best
React to Merle Haggard- Workin' Man Blues.
Very good reaction.
I knew Merle Haggard was great, but I'd never heard this song. Thank you so much. My day just peaked.
Best version gave me chills
Seen him live and he is great believe me I loved every minute of it 👍👍
There's no better voice in country than Merle
His wife Bonnie sang harmony with him even after they divorced. I would definitely listen to the studio version too. He is a legend
Another great song by Merle Haggard, I wonder if they ever think of me. thanks.
'HAG'' A wonderful musician his music will never die.
You've just been introduced to the Hag listen to his music in your life will never be the same. Great backstory and he's got some brothers
Another one that is an all time Fave!
Merle Haggard’s “ in my next life” is great. Listen to it please. His voice sounds so rich when he sings the story! Just beautiful.
he is so good he messed up the first part of his own song and it still comes out good .
I honestly believe that is the best version he ever did
Legend!!
Tears
Silver Wings, My House of Memories, Mama's Hungry Eyes.
His voice is like velvet when he is singing his story. I have been a fan since I was a little girl
My favorite has always been, "If we make it through December"
Beautiful as usual.
Mama's Hungry Eyes by Merle is very good!
I really love Don's version of this song!! I like alot of Don Williams songs. This is a Merle song, but Don did do a fine version of it. Merle was actually in San Quentin prison when he was younger.
Merle was incarcerated a lot during his youth, grew up in the depression era. I heard he'd drive up to the gate of the prison trying to get back in because it was so hard for him on the outside of those bars. One of his friends got on death row. He got into singing because of Johnny Cash performing at his prison.
You hit the nail on the head when you said Haggard's song made you "feel connected and a bit uneasy as well"..... Just listening to one of his songs and you got it! Haggard wrote that song and so many, many more....please listen to more of his music, you won't be disappointed. Also, you need to hear him in his younger years.....thank you for appreciating who many country fans consider the greatest country singer, songwriter there has ever been. He can play the Fender too,,,he also was an accomplished fiddler player!
Merle wrote this about a man he knew in prison this reminds me of someone I no longer have who used so sing at church from time to time I got to see Merle years ago
I’m an old 64yr rocker, but I love me some Merle Haggard this real country music, the Hagg as he was called is a country music legend and he knows something about being in prison, he and his buddies were going to break into a hardware store after it closed so in the meantime they got drunk and went through a back window in the alley thinking the store was already closed only to find out the store was still opened when they got inside, while in prison he and two other prisoners had planned an escape, Merle backed out at the last minute and one of them was killed trying escape, Merle has a very deep catalog of music, you should check out one he did with Willie Nelson called Poncho and lefty, the Hagg was quite the hell raiser and outlaw in his early days
The greatest country music artist who ever lived. RIP Merle Haggard.
merle haggard and GeorgeJones are two best country singers ever the person in this song was going to the electric chair and he wants to hear this sone one more time
The best version of this song he sang live on primetime country google I Merle Haggard primetime country
Lucky!!
Please! Silver Wings by Merle Haggard.
LOOK AT MERLE'S GUITAR, IS THAT EFFINGGGG COOL OR WHAT! :) MANNNNNNNN, HE HAD A COLLECTION TOO
❤️Merle❤️
Merle, Willie, Johnny, George, Hank the greats
Don Williams has lots of music to choose from but...
"I Believe In You" is a really good song.
I always say music is the number one reason I believe in God it can make you feel some much from tears of a old memory to think about things you never know.
Merle didn’t write “If I Could Only Fly” (Blaze Foley wrote it) but Merle recorded it and said it was the most beautiful Country song ever written. I think you’d love that, too.
"Misery and Gin"......awesome!
Poncho and lefty is a good one he does with Willie Nelson.
This song is about men on death row in prison , and it's from the prospective of one being walked down to his execution asking the singers to sing a song his Mother use to sing to him.
He wrote about another inmate when he was in prison
“What Have You Got Panned Tonight Diana”
“If We Make Through December”
He did this song when younger. He was an ex con. Legend in country music.
Mearle Haggard released over 70 albums, over 600 songs of which he wrote 250, and 38 of the songs were #1's.
Harry.glad ur ckin this one out-the hag!-none btr for REAL OLD TIME country.a giant in music!grew up on him and others. Love old country!great reaction. His voice!!-country.and he WAS in prison..but not for life. .keep them commin. Ill keep cking them out with you… Again❤️👍🤓🤓 he will take you to church..the church of country music.should ve heard him at 25!! Fantastic…dan.northern florida. Usa..9/16/21-7:00 pm. Est!..
What a sad life to have never heard of Merle Haggard. Wow
got to see Mr Merle years ago
Merle Haggard Mama Tried!
He was was in a cell for 7 days in solitary next to a guy that was ultimately gassed. This is what it’s about. They spoke through a shared vent.
I used to sing harmony on this song after my parents card night.
Merle Haggard had breathing issues which affected his voice in his later years. He didn't stop preforming until right before his death. Great analysis Harri! I still miss Merle.
Merle Haggard is revered as a genius singer/songwriter. His songs have been covered in concert by well over a hundred musicians and groups, including the Grateful Dead (who covered this particular song in about 40 concerts and also covered Mama Tried), to Joan Baez, Marianne Faithfull, Lee Mathis, Dwight Yocum, Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, and on and on.
Grew up on merl. I play a lot of his songs on,guitar. He was great song writer. Wrote most of his songs. He did time in jail his self when he was young.
"Today I Started Loving You Again," Loneliness is Eating Me Alive" accompanied by Glen Campbell... GREAT guitar. You MUST hear his younger voice. The "Branded Man" album is fantastic.