Who was the “Poet of the Common Man” who won over country music fans for over 50 years? It was Merle Haggard12, a legendary singer, songwriter, and musician. He became famous in the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Oildale, California, during the Great Depression, Haggard faced many challenges early on.
His father’s death and time in prison were just the start. Yet, Haggard turned his life around after leaving San Quentin State Prison in 1960. He began a successful music career, writing songs that resonated with the working class1.
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Haggard had 38 number-one hits on country charts. Many of these songs also hit the Billboard all-genre charts1. His mix of country, folk, and Bakersfield sound made him a true legend in American country music.
Haggard’s career spanned over five decades, earning him many honors. He received a Kennedy Center Honor, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame2. His lasting impact as a songwriter and performer has made him one of the most influential figures in country music history.
Merle Haggard: The Poet of the Common Man
Early Life and Hardships
Merle Haggard’s journey to fame was tough. He was born in 1937 in Oildale, California. His family moved from Oklahoma during the Great Depression3.
When Haggard was nine, his father died. This event deeply affected him4. As a teenager, he got into trouble and was locked up in juvenile detention4.
In 1957, Haggard was arrested for trying to rob a Bakersfield roadhouse. He ended up in San Quentin Prison4. There, he found music as a way to cope, inspired by a fellow inmate’s execution4.
“Merle Haggard was referred to as the ‘Poet of the Common Man’ for his ability to capture everyday life through his songs.”4
Despite his tough start, Haggard’s talent and storytelling skills made him famous. He became known as “The Poet of the Common Man” for his music4. His songs about everyday struggles and victories made him a country music icon.
Shaping the Bakersfield Sound
After his release from San Quentin in 1960, merle haggard started performing and recording. He helped shape the Bakersfield sound, a reaction against the overproduced Nashville sound5. His early hits, like “Sing a Sad Song” and “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” written by liz anderson, launched his career5.
In 1967, Haggard’s song “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive” with The Strangers hit number one5. The Bakersfield sound, known for its raw energy and Western swing, became a key part of Haggard’s music5.
The Bakersfield Sound emerged in the 1950s as a response to Nashville’s sound5. Buck Owens’ hits like “Act Naturally” and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” made him a country icon5. Merle Haggard, born in 1937, became a key figure in the sound, resonating with fans nationwide5.
Wynn stewart, born in 1934, also had hits in the 1960s, including “Wishful Thinking” and “It’s Such a Pretty World Today.”5
The Bakersfield sound, with its raw honky-tonk energy and Western swing influences, became a defining part of Haggard’s musical identity.
Bakersfield’s influence on country music brought a fresh, raw approach5. It inspired artists to value individuality and regional influences5. Today, artists like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson are influenced by the Bakersfield Sound’s honesty and spirit5.
Bakersfield celebrates its role in country music through museums, festivals, and tribute concerts5.
The Bakersfield music scene, led by merle haggard and Buck Owens, used pedal steel guitars and electric guitars6. Buck Owens was known for his upbeat music, perfect for radio6. Merle Haggard’s songs captured the migrant experience in California, showing a poetic side to songwriting6.
The Bakersfield sound’s influence on modern country music is clear, with its honky-tonk and twangy sound6. It has shaped the public’s view of country music, showing a more traditional side6. The sound introduced by Buck Owens and merle haggard continues to influence country music today657.
merle haggard: A Voice for the Working Class
Merle Haggard grew up tough and independent. He even spent time in jail. His songs often told the stories of the working class8. Songs like “Sing Me Back Home” came from his own jail days, showing the struggles of everyday folks9.
His music connected with the common man, earning him the nickname “The Poet of the Common Man”. This made him stand out in country music, unlike the polished Nashville sound.
Haggard’s music spanned over 50 years, touching on themes of working-class anger and middle-class frustration10. Songs like “I Take A Lot of Pride in What I Am” and “I Started Loving You Again” showed his empathy for the working class9. Artists like Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton have been influenced by his work10.
“Haggard is remembered as one of the best country singers and songwriters of his generation, aspiring to sing like Lefty Frizzell and write like Hank Williams.”9
Merle Haggard’s music still speaks to people today10. His ability to connect with the common man through his songs has made him a true icon in country music.
Outlaw Country and Anthems of the Vietnam Era
By the late 1960s, Merle Haggard was a big name in country music. He had a career that lasted over 50 years, from 1963 until his death in 201611. He released 66 studio albums, 80 live albums, and 84 singles. This made him a true icon of the genre11.
Controversial and Misunderstood
Two of Haggard’s famous songs, “Okie from Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” were seen as anthems of the Vietnam era’s “silent majority.”12 They showed a conservative backlash against the counterculture movement12. But Haggard later said “Okie from Muskogee” was meant as satire, not a real political statement13.
Despite the controversy, Haggard’s music still connected with many. His songs spoke to the struggles and victories of everyday people. Tracks like “Workin’ Man Blues” and “Sing Me Back Home” became classics13.
Even when his songs were seen as controversial, they showed deep empathy for his audience11. His ability to capture the spirit of the time and his songwriting skills made him a key figure in country music history11.
“Okie From Muskogee” symbolized small-town values during the Vietnam War era, sparking debates about its sincerity or satire13.
Haggard’s music kept connecting with working-class people who loved his outlaw country sound13. Songs like “The Fightin’ Side of Me” made him a voice for small-town conservative America13. Tracks like “Sing Me Back Home” and “Today I Started Loving You Again” showed his amazing songwriting13.
Throughout his career, Merle Haggard was a complex artist. His music both reflected and shaped the cultural landscape of the Vietnam era11. His legacy as an outlaw country icon and a champion of the working class continues to inspire and influence many111312.
A Legacy of Songwriting and Performing Excellence
Merle Haggard became a true country music legend and icon in his five-decade career. He had 38 number-one hits on US country charts, showing his skill as a songwriter and performing artist14. His storytelling and performance were praised, with Tom Carter saying he performed like he was sharing secrets.
Haggard won many awards, including Grammys, ACM, and CMA honors. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and the Kennedy Center Honors14. His songs were loved by many artists, showing his wide influence in music.
Even when he was older, Haggard kept touring and recording. He left behind a huge body of work that still inspires fans around the world. His honest and relatable songs made him a beloved icon in country music14.
Source Links
- Merle Haggard
- Country Legend Merle Haggard Dies At 79
- Merle Haggard Biography | Country Music | Ken Burns | PBS
- Remembering Merle Haggard: Country’s Legendary Poet Of The Common Man
- The Reverberating Influence of Bakersfield and the Bakersfield Sound on Country Music
- Get Down To The Bakersfield Sound: The Legacy Of ‘Nashville West’
- The Bakersfield Sound: How a Generation of Displaced Ok…
- Thoughts on Merle Haggard
- Merle Haggard: The authentic and gifted voice of the people
- What Merle Haggard knew about America | CNN
- The Best Merle Haggard Songs | Holler
- Behind the Meaning of Merle Haggard’s 1969 Anti-Vietnam Protest Song “Okie From Muskogee”
- Merle Haggard: 30 Essential Songs
- “If ‘freedom’ coerces you into living a particular way that others have determined ‘correct,’ well that is a highly conditional freedom indeed:” A Discussion With Music Critic and Author David Cantwell about Manly Footwear, Fightin’ Sides and Listening to Merle Haggard – Lawyers, Guns & Money
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