Since the mid- 1960’s, Merle Haggard has been one of the most popular country- western music artists in America. His distinctive sound, a relaxed, yet urgent mix of country blues and swing, with touches of rock and jazz thrown in for good measure, is considered by many musicoligists to be a great example of the “Bakersfield Sound”,also popularized by the late, great Buck Owens. With his top- notch band, The Strangers, Merle Haggard has recorded and released such classic American country music songs as “Mama Tried” and “Okie From Muskogee”, among many others. Presented here, is one music reviewer’s list and brief descriptions of ten great songs by Merle Haggard.
A) Workin’ Man Blues.. A jaunty, rough- and- tumble declaration of pride in maintaining an All- American work ethic, this song was first released in 1969 and still sounds fresh and invigorating in the 2000’s. A 100% macho and blue collar declaration of pride in the American way, this Merle Haggard song is a favorite juke- box selection in barrooms across the United States.
B) Okie From Muskogee.. One of Merle Haggard’s most famous songs, the infectious, sing- along choruses, which proclaim..” I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, a place where even squares can have a ball”, served as an anthem for conservative, anti- hippie forces in the 1960’s and beyond. No matter which way the listener’s politics may lean, it is hard to resist singing- along with and humming this classic Merle Haggard song.
C) If We Make It Through December.. A gentle and philosophical 1973 song in which Merle Haggard expresses his hopes about getting beyond the past and present trials and tribulations, including his being laid- off. In a “glass is half- empty and half- full” sort of way, Merle Haggard expresses to his significant other his desires to make it through Christmas and then move on.
D) Big City.. To this reviewer, Big City is a top- contender for the quintessential Merle Haggard song. In this bluesy, mid- tempo song, Merle Haggard pleads
“Big City, turn me loose and set me free”. When Merle sings “turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana”, you know he means it. The individualist in Merle Haggard opines” keep your retirement and so- called Social Security” in a relaxed, yet defiant statement in this song.
E) Are The Good Times Really Over ( I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver).. Another top- contender for the best, or most representative Merle Haggard song by this writer, Are The Good Times Really Over is a slow, almost- haunting remembrance of times past and dismay and apprehension about the present and future. One of Merle Haggard’s most memorable choruses is from this song..” Are we rolling downhill, like a snowball headed for hell ? A dark, lingering and ultimately top- rate piece of music.
F) Branded Man.. In this song, Merle Haggard expresses the frustration of trying to rise above the shame of being an ex- convict. But, as he is constantly reminded, society won’t let him forget his past. Merle is out in the cold and branded with a number on his name in this melodic and likeable song.
G) The Fightin’ Side Of Me.. As the title implies, this 1970 song shows that when people put down the good old U.S. of A., Merle Haggard doesn’t take it lightly. ” If you don’t love it, leave it” Merle states so eloquently in this catchy mid- tempo country- blues chestnut. Released shortly after Okie From Muskogee, this song bears some resemblances, all in a good way.
H) Poncho and Lefty (with Willie Nelson).. A romanticized outlaw ballad that effectively sets a scene of barren Mexican deserts and being chased by Federales. This classic song features both Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Originally released in 1982, this song posesses a timeless quality.
I) My Favorite Memory.. A slow bluesy ballad done in a way that only Merle Haggard can do, My Favorite Memory vaguely resembles Are The Good Times Really Over. In this song, Merle assures his better- half that she is his favorite memory of all. Great lyrics, such as..” like the night we made love in the hallway” and “I remember that London vacation” allow this song to show a different side of Merle Haggard.
J) Let’s Chase Each Other ‘Round The Room Tonight.. A warm and engaging, yet upbeat and hummable Merle Haggard song from the 1990’s, in which he suggests to his beloved that locking and bolting the door is only right, so they can play the games they played on their wedding night. This great song is a playful, fun and frisky mood- setter for virtually all listeners.
