Best Merle Haggard Songs9 min read

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Merle Haggard was a country music legend, who was known for his distinctive voice and songwriting skills. He released dozens of albums during his career, and many of his songs have become classics. Here are five of the best Merle Haggard songs.

1. "Okie from Muskogee"

This song, which was released in 1969, became an instant hit and is one of Merle Haggard’s most famous songs. The lyrics mock the people who left the Dust Bowl in search of a better life, and who were seen as uneducated and backwards by those who stayed in Muskogee. The song became an anthem for the redneck movement and was embraced by conservative Americans.

2. "Mama Tried"

This song, which was also released in 1969, is about a man who is in prison and is missing his mother’s cooking. The song is a ballad that is full of emotion, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

3. "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive"

This song was released in 1967, and it tells the story of a man who is on the run from the law. The song is full of energy, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

4. "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down"

This song, which was released in 1966, is about a man who is struggling with alcoholism. The song is sad and heartbreaking, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

5. "Workin’ Man Blues"

This song, which was released in 1969, is about a man who is tired of working hard all the time. The song is a protest song, and it has been covered by many artists over the years.

What is Merle Haggard’s most famous song?

What is Merle Haggard’s most famous song?

Merle Haggard is a country music legend and has written and recorded many famous songs over the years. His most famous song, however, is probably "Okie from Muskogee," which was released in 1969. The song became an instant hit and is still one of Haggard’s most popular songs today.

"Okie from Muskogee" is a patriotic song that celebrates the simple, traditional values of American small-town life. The song is sung from the perspective of an "okie" (a term used to describe someone from Oklahoma) who is proud to be from Muskogee, which is portrayed as a place where people are hardworking, patriotic, and conservative.

The song’s lyrics reflect Haggard’s own conservative political views and his disdain for the counterculture movement that was popular at the time. Haggard wrote the song in response to the growing popularity of hippie culture and the anti-war movement, which he viewed as unpatriotic and disrespectful of America’s military.

"Okie from Muskogee" has been widely praised by many conservatives as a patriotic anthem, while liberals have criticized it as being simplistic and ignorant. Nevertheless, the song remains one of Haggard’s most popular and well-known compositions.

What was Merle Haggard’s number one song?

What was Merle Haggard’s number one song?

Merle Haggard was an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born on April 6, 1937, in Bakersfield, California. He is best known for his hit songs "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mama Tried".

One of Haggard’s most successful songs was "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive". The song was released in 1967 and spent six weeks at number one on the country charts.

Who was Merle Haggard’s favorite singer?

Merle Haggard was a country music legend, who was known for his unique style and songs. While Haggard was known to have a number of favorite singers, one in particular stood out – Johnny Cash.

Cash and Haggard first met in the early 1960s, and the two hit it off immediately. They would go on to tour together and even record a duet album. Haggard has said that Cash was his favorite singer, and that he was heavily influenced by the Man in Black.

In an interview, Haggard recalled his first meeting with Cash. He said, "I was playing at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, and I was told that Johnny Cash was in the audience. I had never seen him, but I had heard his records. I had an idea of what he looked like. So I went out into the audience and looked for the tallest man. And there he was. We just kind of looked at each other and kind of smiled."

Haggard was a huge fan of Cash’s music, and was even more impressed after meeting him in person. He said, "He was just a giant of a man. His presence was just overwhelming. And his voice was just so powerful. After I met him, I just decided that I was going to try to pattern my career after his."

Cash was known for his dark, outlaw image, and Haggard was drawn to that. He said, "I was always interested in the dark side of life. I liked the idea of being an outlaw. And Johnny Cash was the ultimate outlaw."

The two men toured together and became good friends. In fact, Haggard credits Cash with helping him clean up his act and getting his career back on track. He said, "Johnny Cash was one of the people who helped me straighten out my life. He was a big influence on me. He showed me that you can be an outlaw and still be a good person."

Haggard and Cash’s duet album, "Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash – A Tribute to the Man in Black", was released in 1997 and was a huge success. The album featured covers of Cash’s songs, as well as a few original tracks. Haggard and Cash both sang and played guitar on the album, and the two men sounded great together.

Haggard has said that Cash was his favorite singer, and it’s clear that the feeling was mutual. Cash once said, "Merle Haggard is one of the greatest singers in the world. He’s a great songwriter, and he’s a great guitar player. I love his music."

Haggard and Cash will always be remembered as two of the greatest country music legends of all time. Their music was unique and timeless, and their influence is still felt today.

What hits did Merle Haggard write?

Merle Haggard was an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his hits "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mama Tried". Haggard wrote or co-wrote most of his singles, including all of his number one hits.

Some of Haggard’s most famous songs include "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mama Tried". He also wrote the hits "If We Make It Through December", "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive", and "Sing Me Back Home". Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 79.

How many number 1 hits did Merle Haggard have?

Merle Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, California. Haggard began singing and playing guitar at an early age, and he soon became known as one of the most talented country music performers in the business.

Throughout his career, Haggard scored an impressive number of number 1 hits on the country music charts. In all, he had 38 number 1 hits, including such classics as "Okie from Muskogee," "Mama Tried," and "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive."

Haggard continued performing and recording music until his death on April 6, 2016 – his 79th birthday. In honor of his long and successful career, let’s take a look at some of Merle Haggard’s most popular and enduring number 1 hits.

"Okie from Muskogee" was released in 1969 and quickly became one of Haggard’s most popular and recognizable songs. The song’s patriotic lyrics and catchy melody made it a hit with audiences across the country, and it spent 3 weeks at the top of the country music charts.

"Mama Tried" was released in 1968 and became another big hit for Haggard. The song tells the story of a man who is trying to make his mother proud but keeps making mistakes along the way. "Mama Tried" reached number 1 on the country charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.

"I’m a Lonesome Fugitive" was released in 1967 and became one of Haggard’s most successful singles. The song tells the story of a man on the run from the law and the people who are trying to catch him. "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive" reached number 1 on the country charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.

These are just a few of the many number 1 hits that Merle Haggard scored during his long and successful career. He was a master of country music and a true icon in the industry. Thanks for listening.

What is the best Merle Haggard?

Merle Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Bakersfield, California. A country singer and songwriter, he is considered one of the most influential and important figures in country music history. He has released more than three dozen studio albums, and has scored dozens of hits on the Billboard country music charts.

Merle Haggard has won numerous awards throughout his career, including 20 Grammy Awards (more than any other country artist), the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award (three times), and the Academy of Country Music’s Pioneer Award. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977.

So, what is the best Merle Haggard album? This is a difficult question to answer, as Merle Haggard has released so many great albums over the years. Some of his most well-known and critically acclaimed albums include Okie from Muskogee, The Fightin’ Side of Me, and Mama Tried.

However, if we had to choose just one album as the best Merle Haggard album, we would have to say that it is probably his 1970 release, A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere. This album is considered a classic, and includes some of Haggard’s most well-known and beloved songs, such as "If We Make It Through December" and "Mama Tried".

How many #1 hits did Merle Haggard have?

Merle Haggard had a total of 38 #1 hits on the Billboard country music chart. This total includes all the singles he released from 1966 to 2009. He had his first #1 hit in 1966 with "I’m a Lonesome Fugitive". His last #1 hit was "I Told You So" in 2009. Between these two singles, Haggard had #1 hits with classics such as "Okie from Muskogee", "Mama Tried", "Workin’ Man Blues", and "Grandma Harp".