On Wednesday, April 7, we lost one of the very few remaining pillars of great country music: Merle Haggard. A champion of authentic country music as well as an innovator of new sounds in the traditional genre, Merle was not only one of the greatest country artists to live, but one of the greatest musicians period. His smooth, twangy vocals rang out as familiar as your grandpa’s voice and made you feel right at home. Whether you’re heartbroken and crawling inside a bottle, firing your car like a rocket down the highway with windows down, or slow-dancing with your love, Merle Haggard had and always will have your back. Here’s a list of a few songs to remember the honky-tonk titan by.
“Mama Tried”
An ode to the mother of a downright hellion, “Mama Tried” is by far one of Haggard’s most well-known songs. It’s a classic anthem for those innate, rebellious inclinations to stay on the wrong side of the tracks, despite mama’s best efforts to raise a good boy.
“Sing Me Back Home”
“Sing Me Back Home” is a heart-wrenching lament, telling the story of a prisoner going to meet his maker with a song in his heart. In fact, this song is somewhat of an autobiography as Merle Haggard spent three years in the famed San Quentin State Prison, where he developed a friendship with a fellow inmate who was executed after a failed attempt to escape. Though sorrowful, “Sing Me Back Home” is a beautiful ballad about finding peace in death after a tumultuous life.
“Pancho and Lefty" (feat. Willie Nelson)
Originally written by folk troubadour Townes Van Zandt, “Pancho and Lefty” tells a classic Western story of a Mexican bandit named Pancho and his mysterious partner, Lefty. This duet with arguably the greatest country singer alive today, is a mainstay of Merle Haggard’s catalog.
“I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”
A song about exactly what it sounds like, “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” tells the story of a broken heart taking refuge at the local watering hole, lamenting a woman that did him wrong. Lyrically, it’s one of the more popular themes of country music. However, it’s in the instrumentation of “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” that showcases the innovation Merle brought to the table, combining Bakersfield’s noodling guitar style, honky-tonk piano playing, and a steamy, New Orleans-style saxophone solo.
“Okie From Muskogee”
“Okie From Muskogee” is simultaneously a critique of hippie culture, a tribute to the young men who fought and died in the name of freedom in the Vietnam War, and a love letter to America’s heartland. Since this song came out in 1969, it has been the topic of much debate about whether or not the song is a satirical view of middle America. However, it’s more simply a confession of pride to live the simplistic, hard-working life of country folks in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
