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Merle Haggard

Data updated on 2024-11-08 13:27:30 UTC
As a performer and a songwriter, Merle Haggard was the most important country artist to emerge in the 1960s, and he became one of the leading figures of the Bakersfield country scene. While his music remained hardcore country, he pushed the boundaries of the music quite far. Like his idol, Bob Wills, his music was a melting pot that drew from all forms of traditional American music -- country, jazz, blues, and folk -- and in the process, developed a distinctive style of his own. As a performer, singer, and musician, he was one of the best, influencing countless other artists. Not coincidentally, he was the best singer/songwriter in country music since Hank Williams, writing a body of songs that became classics. Throughout his career, Haggard was a champion of the working man, largely due to his rough-and-tumble history.

It's impossible to separate Haggard's music from his life. He was born to James and Flossie Haggard on April 6, 1937. His parents moved from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression, converting an old boxcar into a home. Before their marriage, James played fiddle in local honky tonk bars. Flossie was a member of the Church of Christ, which led to her forcing her husband to stop playing the honky tonks. James died from a brain tumor when Merle was nine years old. After his father's death, Merle became rebellious. In an attempt to straighten her son out, his mother put him in several juvenile detention centers, but it had little effect on Merle's behavior. As a teenager, he fell in love with country music, particularly Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, and Hank Williams. When he was 12 years old, Haggard was given his first guitar by his older brother; Merle taught himself how to play by listening to records that were lying around the house.

Even though he had begun to pursue music, Haggard continued to rebel, running away with his friend Bob Teague to Texas when he was 14 years old. A few months later, the pair returned to California, where they were arrested as robbery suspects. After the real thieves were caught, Haggard was sent back to juvenile hall, but he and Teague took off to Modesto, California. For a brief time, he did manual labor, was a short-order cook, drove a truck, and committed a series of small crimes. Soon after he moved to Modesto, Haggard made his performing debut with Teague at a bar named the Fun Center; the two were paid five dollars and given all the beer that they could drink.

By the end of 1951, Haggard had returned home and he was again arrested for truancy, as well as petty larceny. In the beginning of 1952, he was sent to Fred C. Nelles School for Boys in Whittier, California; again, he ran away. This time, the courts decided he was incorrigible and sent him to the high-security Preston School of Industry; he was released after 15 months. Shortly after his release, he and a boy he met at PSI beat up a local boy during an attempted robbery, and Haggard was sent back to PSI.

After getting out of PSI for the second time, Haggard had the first major event in his musical career. He went with Teague to see Lefty Frizzell in concert in Bakersfield. Before the show, he went backstage with several friends and he sang a couple songs for Frizzell. Lefty was so impressed he refused to go on-stage until Haggard was allowed to sing a song. Merle went out and sang a few songs to an enthusiastic response from the audience.

The reception persuaded Haggard to actively pursue a musical career. While he was working during the day in oil fields and farms, he performed at local Bakersfield clubs. His performances led to a spot on a local television show, Chuck Wagon. In 1956, he married Leona Hobbs; the couple moved into his family's old converted boxcar. Throughout 1957, Haggard was plagued by financial problems, which made him turn to robbery. At the end of the year, he attempted to rob a restaurant along with two other burglars; the three were drunk at the time. Believing it was three o'clock in the morning, the trio tried to open up the back door of the restaurant. However, it was 10:30 and the establishment was still open. Although the trio fled the scene, Haggard was arrested that day. The following day, he escaped from prison in order to make peace with his wife and family; later that day, he was recaptured. Haggard was sentenced to a 15-year term and sent to San Quentin prison.

Prison didn't immediately lead Merle into rehabilitation. He was fired from a series of prison jobs and planned an escape from the jail, but was talked out of it by fellow inmates. Nearly two years into his sentence, Haggard discovered that his wife was pregnant with another man's child. The news sent Haggard over the edge. Soon, he and his cellmate began a gambling racket and brewing beer in their cell. Before long, Haggard was caught drunk and was placed in isolation for a week. During his time in isolation, he had several conversations with Caryl Chessman, an author and a member of death row. The conversations and the time in isolation convinced Haggard to turn his life around. After he left isolation, he began working in the prison's textile plant and took some high-school equivalency courses; he was also allowed to play in the prison's country band. At his second parole hearing in 1960, Haggard was given a five-year sentence -- two years and nine months in jail, two years and three months on parole; he left prison 90 days later.

Merle moved back in with Leona and returned to manual labor. In the meantime, he sang at local clubs at night. After taking second place at a local talent contest, Haggard was asked to become a relief singer for a band led by Johnny Barnett at one of the most popular Bakersfield clubs, Lucky Spot. Soon, Merle was making enough money playing music that he could quit his ditch-digging job. While singing with Barnett, he gained the attention of Fuzzy Owen, who owned the small record label Tally Records. Owen and his cousin Lewis Talley were instrumental in establishing Haggard's musical career. Owen made the first recording of Haggard, cutting a demo version of one of the singer's first songs, "Skid Row." Shortly after the recording, Haggard called Talley, who had praised him earlier in his career. Talley was able to land Haggard a job at Paul's Cocktail Lounge, which led to a slot on a local music television show.

During this time, Bakersfield country was beginning to become a national scene, largely due to the hit singles of Buck Owens. At a time when mainstream country was dominated by the lush, smooth countrypolitain sound of Nashville, Bakersfield country grew out of hardcore honky tonk, adding elements of Western swing. Bakersfield country also relied on electric instruments and amplification more than other subgenres of country, giving the music a hard, driving, edgy flavor. During the late '50s, Tommy Collins and Wynn Stewart were two of the Bakersfield artists to have hits, and both were influential on Haggard's career, musically as well as professionally. Haggard had admired Stewart's vocal style, and it helped shape his phrasing.

Early in 1962, Haggard traveled to Las Vegas to see Wynn Stewart's club show. Stewart was not at the club, having left to find a replacement bass player. During the show, one of Stewart's guitarists remembered Haggard and invited him to sing a couple of songs on-stage. Stewart walked in while Haggard was singing and was impressed, asking him to join his band as a bassist. For six months in 1962 and 1963, Merle performed with Stewart's band. During this time, Haggard heard Wynn's song "Sing a Sad Song" and asked the star if he could record it. Stewart gave him the song and Merle recorded it for Tally Records in 1963. Although Tally had minimal distribution, the record became a national hit, climbing to number 19 on the country charts early in 1964.

"Sam Hill," Haggard's second single, wasn't as successful, but a duet with Bonnie Owens, the former wife of Buck Owens, called "Just Between the Two of Us," broke into the Top 40. The next year, his version of Liz Anderson's "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" broke him into the Top Ten and established him as a budding star. Capitol Records bought out his contract with Tally and Merle released "I'm Gonna Break Every Heart I Can," his first single for Capitol, in the fall of 1965. The single wasn't a success, scratching into the Top 50, but his next single, "Swinging Doors," was a smash hit, rocketing to number five in the spring of 1966. Late in 1965, Haggard began recruiting a backing band and named them the Strangers.

Haggard became a genuine country superstar in 1966, with three Top Ten hits, including "Swinging Doors." "The Bottle Let Me Down" climbed to number three and "The Fugitive" (later retitled "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive") became his first number one. He was voted the Top Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music Awards, while he and Bonnie were named the Top Vocal Group for the second year in a row.

Haggard's songwriting was beginning to blossom and audiences embraced his music, sending his "I Threw Away the Rose" to number three early in 1967, beginning a remarkable streak of 37 straight Top Ten hits, including 23 number one singles. "I Threw Away the Rose" was followed by four straight number one hits -- "Branded Man," "Sing Me Back Home," "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde," and "Mama Tried," which was heard in Killers Three, a movie that featured Haggard's debut as an actor. With the exception of "Bonnie and Clyde," the songs represented a change in Haggard's songwriting, as he began to directly address his troubled history. By 1970, he was talking about his time in San Quentin in the press, yet these songs represented the first time he had mentioned his past directly. Each single was a bigger hit than the previous song, which encouraged Haggard to continue writing in a more personal style.

Throughout 1968, Haggard's star continued to rise, with two number one hits ("Bonnie and Clyde," "Mama Tried") and the number three "I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am," as well as four albums. Later that year, he recorded his first conceptual album, Same Train, Different Time. Released in early 1969, the record was not only an affectionate salute to one of Haggard's heroes, it reflected a fascination with American history and a desire to expand his music by adding stronger elements of Western swing, jazz, and blues.

Merle released three singles in 1969 -- "Hungry Eyes," "Workin' Man Blues," and "Okie from Muskogee" -- and all three reached number one. In particular, "Okie from Muskogee" sparked a tremendous amount of attention. An attack on the liberal hippies who represented American pop culture in the late '60s, the song struck a chord in audiences across the country, just missing the pop Top 40. Because of the song, Haggard was asked to endorse George Wallace, but he refused. "Okie from Muskogee" cemented the singer's stardom, and he won a large amount of awards in 1969 and 1970. In both years, he was named the Top Male Vocalist by the ACM and the Strangers were voted the best band, while the new Country Music Association voted him Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist in 1970.

Haggard released a sequel to "Okie" called "The Fightin' Side of Me" at the beginning of 1970, and it also shot to number one. That year, he released A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (Or My Salute to Bob Wills), which helped spark a revival of Western swing in the '70s. Throughout 1971 and 1972, the hits kept coming, including "Soldier's Last Letter," "Someday We'll Look Back," "Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man)," "Carolyn," "Grandma Harp," "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)," and "I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me." In 1972, the governor of California, Ronald Reagan, granted Haggard a full pardon. The following year, his hit streak continued, and he scored his biggest hit, "If We Make It Through December," which peaked at number 28 on the pop charts. As his reign on the top of the country charts continued in 1974, he played on Bob Wills' last album, For the Last Time. Wills died in 1975, leaving Merle his fiddle.

Haggard stayed with Capitol Records until 1977, and never once did his grip on the American audience slip during his tenure there. During his time on MCA afterward, he continued to have a number of hits, but his work was becoming slightly inconsistent. His first two singles for the record label, "If We're Not Back in Love by Monday" and "Ramblin' Fever," hit number two and he continued to have hits with the label throughout the end of the decade and the first part of the '80s. "I'm Always on a Mountain When I Fall" and "It's Been a Great Afternoon" were number two hits in 1978. In 1979, he only had two hits, while in 1980, two selections from the Clint Eastwood movie Bronco Billy reached the Top Three, "The Way I Am" and "Misery and Gin"; Haggard also appeared in the film. The two hits paved the way for his two biggest singles with MCA, the number one duet with Eastwood "Bar Room Buddies" and the number one "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink." Early in 1981, Haggard had a Top Ten hit with "Leonard," a tribute to his old friend Tommy Collins.

Later that year, Haggard published his autobiography, Sing Me Back Home; he also left MCA and signed with Epic Records. Once at Epic, he began producing his own records, which gave the music a leaner sound. His first two singles for the label, "My Favorite Memory" and "Big City," were number one hits. The following year, he released a duet album with George Jones called A Taste of Yesterday's Wine, which featured the number one single "Yesterday's Wine" and the Top Ten "C.C. Waterback." From 1983 until the beginning of 1985, Haggard continued to score number one hits, including the number one duet with Willie Nelson "Pancho and Lefty."

Merle's chart fortunes began to change in 1985 as a new breed of singers began to dominate the chart. Nearly every one of the artists, from George Strait to Randy Travis, was greatly influenced by Haggard, but their idol's new singles now had a tough time reaching the top of the charts. He had two Top Ten hits in 1986, and 1987's Chill Factor was a success, spawning the Top Ten title track and "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star," which would prove to be his last number one hit. In 1990, he signed with Curb Records, but he continued to have trouble reaching the charts; 1994 spawned his last modest hit, "In My Next Life," which reached the Top 60.

When his contract with Curb ran out, Haggard, hoping for better promotion and greater artistic freedom, signed with Anti, a subsidiary of the Epitaph punk-pop label. His first effort for Anti was released in late 2000; titled If I Could Only Fly, the gentle acoustic album was greeted with strong reviews. Haggard released one more album for Anti, 2001's Roots, Vol. 1, before departing. After 2003's Like Never Before, Haggard returned to his old home, EMI, the following year, releasing a collection of American pop standards called Unforgettable at the end of that year. Chicago Wind appeared in the summer of 2005. Haggard then turned to bluegrass, releasing the appropriately titled The Bluegrass Sessions, which featured appearances by Marty Stuart, Aubrey Haynie, and Alison Krauss (among others) in 2007. In 2008 he got the Bear Family treatment with the release of the multi-disc box sets Hag: The Studio Recordings 1969-1976 and Hag: Concepts, Live & the Strangers: The Capitol Recordings 1968-1976. I Am What I Am, an album of new songs, appeared from Vanguard Records in 2010. A second Vanguard album, Working in Tennessee, co-produced by Haggard with Lou Bradley at Haggard's own northern California studio, appeared the following year in 2011. Four years later, Haggard teamed up with his old friend Willie Nelson for Django and Jimmie, their first collaboration in 20 years. Preceded by the single "It's All Going to Pot," the album debuted at number one on the Billboard country chart upon its June 2015 release. Less than a year later, exactly on his 79th birthday (April 6, 2016), Haggard died of complications from pneumonia at his home in Palo Cedro, California.

Even when success eluded him, Merle Haggard's music remained some of the most consistently interesting and inventive in country music. Not only have his recordings remained fresh, but each subsequent generation of country singers shows a great debt to his work. That fact stands as a testament to his great talent even more than his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

1.8 billion
Updated on 2024-11-08

Monthly listeners

1,937,680

Followers

1,390,995

Top Cities

  1. United States
    47,104 listeners
  2. United States
    30,230 listeners
  3. United States
    42,326 listeners
  4. United States
    33,824 listeners
  5. United States
    30,597 listeners

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Marty Stuart
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John Conlee
John Conlee
Merle Haggard & The Strangers
Merle Haggard & The Strangers
Charley Pride
Charley Pride

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Mama Tried
Mama Tried
129,938,124 2:11 2005-06-20
Pancho and Lefty
Pancho and Lefty
84,778,530 4:46 1954-01-01
Pancho & Lefty
Pancho & Lefty
84,778,530 4:48 1996-01-01
Pancho And Lefty
Pancho And Lefty
84,778,530 4:46 1981-01-01
Pancho And Left
Pancho And Left
84,778,530 4:45 1984-01-01
Fightin' Side of Me - Original Gusto Recordings
Fightin' Side of Me - Original Gusto Recordings
47,009,456 2:51 1976-01-01
The Fightin' Side Of Me - Re-Recorded In Stereo
The Fightin' Side Of Me - Re-Recorded In Stereo
47,009,456 2:53 1995-11-07
The Fightin' Side of Me
The Fightin' Side of Me
47,009,456 2:52 2004-05-25
Fightin Side Of Me
Fightin Side Of Me
47,009,456 2:55 1995-01-01
Fightin' Side Of Me
Fightin' Side Of Me
47,009,456 2:52 2005-01-01
The Fightin Side of Me
The Fightin Side of Me
47,009,456 2:56 2003-01-01
I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink - Original Gusto Recordings
I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink - Original Gusto Recordings
44,154,733 3:54 1976-01-01
I Think I ll Just Stay Here And Drink - Re-Recorded
I Think I ll Just Stay Here And Drink - Re-Recorded
44,154,733 3:51 1995-01-01
(I Think I'll Just) Stay Here And Drink
(I Think I'll Just) Stay Here And Drink
44,154,733 3:52 2006-01-01
I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink
I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink
44,154,733 3:54 2005-01-01
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
44,154,733 3:58 2003-01-01
Okie from Muskogee
Okie from Muskogee
36,570,611 2:43 2004-05-25
Okie From Muskogee
Okie From Muskogee
36,570,611 2:42 1972-01-01
Same Old Train
Same Old Train
30,573,863 6:01 1998-09-09
Big City
Big City
29,679,750 3:01 1980-01-01
Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)
Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)
28,773,509 4:14 1975-01-01
Are the Good Times Really Over
Are the Good Times Really Over
28,773,509 4:13 1979-01-01
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
27,853,543 4:34 1980-01-01
I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink
I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink
27,853,543 4:31 2008-01-01
The Bottle Let Me Down
The Bottle Let Me Down
19,868,636 2:49 1996-01-01
Okie From Muskogee
Okie From Muskogee
18,771,364 2:46 1994-01-01
Okie from Muskogee
Okie from Muskogee
18,771,364 2:42 2019-09-06
Ramblin' Fever
Ramblin' Fever
16,753,404 3:11 1977-01-01
That's the Way Love Goes
That's the Way Love Goes
16,223,823 3:02 1981-01-01
That's The Way Love Goes
That's The Way Love Goes
16,223,823 3:02 1981-01-01
Working Man Blues
Working Man Blues
13,782,979 2:38 1972-01-01
My Favorite Memory
My Favorite Memory
12,880,524 3:05 1981-01-01
I'm A White Boy
I'm A White Boy
12,553,538 2:04 1977-01-01
It's All Going to Pot
It's All Going to Pot
12,041,069 2:57 2015-01-01
If We Make It Through December
If We Make It Through December
11,348,753 2:53 1973-11-01
Swinging Doors - Original Gusto Recordings
Swinging Doors - Original Gusto Recordings
8,864,197 2:51 1976-01-01
Swingin' Doors - Re-Recorded In Stereo
Swingin' Doors - Re-Recorded In Stereo
8,864,197 2:52 1995-11-07
Today I Started Loving You Again - Remastered
Today I Started Loving You Again - Remastered
7,732,616 2:20 1968-01-01
Rainbow Stew
Rainbow Stew
7,281,003 2:46 2000-01-01
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star
7,245,668 3:24 1981-01-01
Branded Man - Remastered
Branded Man - Remastered
6,822,005 3:07 2001-01-01
Yesterday's Wine
Yesterday's Wine
6,536,956 3:13 1979-01-01
Momma Tried - Re-Recording
Momma Tried - Re-Recording
6,269,723 2:28 2007-07-31
Momma Tried, Pt. 2 (Live)
Momma Tried, Pt. 2 (Live)
6,269,723 2:25 2020-04-16
Mama Tried
Mama Tried
6,269,723 2:27 2011-06-01
The Way I Am
The Way I Am
5,874,944 2:56 1987-09-08
Missing Ol' Johnny Cash
Missing Ol' Johnny Cash
5,634,605 3:27 2015-05-29
Mama Tried
Mama Tried
5,597,934 2:09 1977-01-01
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive
5,134,820 2:59 2010-08-24
No Show Jones
No Show Jones
4,993,181 2:25 1982-01-01
Always Wanting You - Re-Recorded
Always Wanting You - Re-Recorded
4,882,929 3:09 1996-01-01
If We're Not Back In Love By Monday
If We're Not Back In Love By Monday
4,713,815 3:16 1977-01-01
Workin' Man Blues - Re-Recorded In Stereo
Workin' Man Blues - Re-Recorded In Stereo
4,065,751 2:44 1995-11-07
Workin Man Blues
Workin Man Blues
4,065,751 2:44 1995-01-01
Misery and Gin - Original Gusto Recordings
Misery and Gin - Original Gusto Recordings
3,983,131 2:51 1976-01-01
Misery And Gin
Misery And Gin
3,983,131 2:52 2004-05-25
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
3,907,786 4:11 2015-05-29
Django and Jimmie
Django and Jimmie
3,836,145 2:53 2015-05-29
Sing Me Back Home - Re-Recorded In Stereo
Sing Me Back Home - Re-Recorded In Stereo
3,666,789 2:52 1995-11-07
I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
3,575,975 2:48 1969-01-01
Reasons to Quit
Reasons to Quit
3,477,856 3:30 1981-01-01
C.C. Waterback
C.C. Waterback
3,384,137 3:36 1981-01-01
It's My Lazy Day
It's My Lazy Day
2,907,928 2:50 1982-01-01
Unfair Weather Friend
Unfair Weather Friend
2,859,908 4:14 2015-01-01
Swinging Doors - Remastered
Swinging Doors - Remastered
2,858,065 2:54 2001-01-01
The Cost of Living
The Cost of Living
2,705,493 3:40 2015-09-25
Hungry Eyes
Hungry Eyes
2,586,511 3:28 2010-08-24
Misery And Gin - From The "Clint Eastwood's Bronco Billy " Soundtrack
Misery And Gin - From The "Clint Eastwood's Bronco Billy " Soundtrack
2,585,316 2:49 1980-01-01
Going Where The Lonely Go
Going Where The Lonely Go
2,578,820 4:49 1981-01-01
Going Where the Lonely Go
Going Where the Lonely Go
2,578,820 4:49 1981-01-01
Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room
Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room
2,575,996 2:50 1981-01-01
Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room
Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room
2,575,996 2:51 1996-01-01
A Place to Fall Apart (with Janie Fricke)
A Place to Fall Apart (with Janie Fricke)
2,460,539 3:36 1981-01-01
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive - Original Gusto Recordings
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive - Original Gusto Recordings
2,371,004 3:07 1976-01-01
I'm A Lonesome Fugitive - Re-Recorded In Stereo
I'm A Lonesome Fugitive - Re-Recorded In Stereo
2,371,004 3:16 1995-11-07
Lonesome Fugitive (I m A)
Lonesome Fugitive (I m A)
2,371,004 3:18 1995-01-01
It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)
It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)
2,310,803 3:22 1972-01-01
Today I Started Loving You Again
Today I Started Loving You Again
2,296,747 3:48 1995-01-01
Today I Stared Loving You Again
Today I Stared Loving You Again
2,296,747 3:41 2008-10-07
Today I Started Loving You
Today I Started Loving You
2,296,747 3:46 2006-01-01
Green Green Grass Of Home
Green Green Grass Of Home
2,182,931 3:15 2006-01-01
If We Make It Through December
If We Make It Through December
2,098,277 2:45 2023-10-24
I Fall To Pieces
I Fall To Pieces
2,089,983 4:41 2012-01-01
Branded Man
Branded Man
1,991,789 3:13 1995-01-01
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
1,975,288 3:42 1987-10-13
Someday When Things Are Good
Someday When Things Are Good
1,957,562 3:33 1981-01-01
Kern River
Kern River
1,897,819 3:21 1981-01-01
I'm Leavin' Now
I'm Leavin' Now
1,671,806 3:06 2000-01-01
It's Been A Great Afternoon
It's Been A Great Afternoon
1,564,476 2:50 1978-06-01
The Fighting Side of Me
The Fighting Side of Me
1,559,457 3:13 2017-11-28
Someday We'll Look Back
Someday We'll Look Back
1,549,335 2:31 1971-01-01
Movin' On
Movin' On
1,522,760 2:16 1975-01-01
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
1,494,477 2:36 1994-01-01
I Had a Beautiful Time
I Had a Beautiful Time
1,493,979 3:03 1981-01-01
I Had A Beautiful Time
I Had A Beautiful Time
1,493,979 3:01 1981-01-01
The Bottle Let Me Down - Re-Recorded In Stereo
The Bottle Let Me Down - Re-Recorded In Stereo
1,461,401 2:44 1995-11-07
Bottle Let Me Down - Re-Recorded
Bottle Let Me Down - Re-Recorded
1,461,401 2:41 1995-01-01
Red Bandana
Red Bandana
1,410,836 2:33 1979-05-18
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
1,406,690 2:14 1949-01-01
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
1,406,690 2:14 2020-11-06
I'm Bringin' Home Good News
I'm Bringin' Home Good News
1,405,827 2:48 1969-01-01
Rainbow Stew
Rainbow Stew
1,354,664 2:44 1981-01-01
He Walks With Me
He Walks With Me
1,331,908 2:21 1994-01-01
I Always Get Lucky with You
I Always Get Lucky with You
1,325,768 3:31 1981-01-01
One Day At A Time
One Day At A Time
1,285,698 3:17 1994-01-01
Honky Tonk Night Time Man
Honky Tonk Night Time Man
1,187,899 2:42 1974-01-01
Natural High (with Janie Fricke)
Natural High (with Janie Fricke)
1,169,393 3:06 1984-04-15
Wishing All These Things Were New
Wishing All These Things Were New
1,148,932 3:20 2020-11-19
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
1,132,401 2:25 2019-01-21
(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Remastered
(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Remastered
1,112,443 2:29 1965-01-01
Hungry Eyes
Hungry Eyes
1,084,002 3:40 1995-01-01
White Christmas
White Christmas
1,064,812 3:10 1982-01-01
The Okie From Muskogee's Comin' Home
The Okie From Muskogee's Comin' Home
1,049,469 2:23 1981-01-01
Nobody's Darling But Mine
Nobody's Darling But Mine
1,045,953 3:34 1982-04-29
Things Aren't Funny Anymore
Things Aren't Funny Anymore
1,013,282 2:45 1974-01-01
Living With The Shades Pulled Down
Living With The Shades Pulled Down
997,248 2:59 1996-01-01
If We Make It Through December
If We Make It Through December
985,759 2:44 1977-01-01
Cherokee Maiden
Cherokee Maiden
975,703 3:02 2003-01-01
Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine
Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine
951,349 2:50 1979-05-18
Swinging Doors
Swinging Doors
914,407 2:51 2015-05-29
White Line Fever
White Line Fever
913,335 2:49 2006-01-01
A Horse Called Music
A Horse Called Music
907,337 4:37 2012-05-14
She Ain't Hooked On Me No More
She Ain't Hooked On Me No More
890,795 3:36 2005-01-01
Worried, Unhappy, Lonesome And Sorry
Worried, Unhappy, Lonesome And Sorry
890,239 2:46 2006-01-01
Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) - Re-Recorded In Stereo
Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) - Re-Recorded In Stereo
881,256 3:43 1995-11-07
Okie From Muskogee - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
Okie From Muskogee - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
870,519 4:09 1969-01-01
Carolyn
Carolyn
850,690 2:33 1971-01-01
Blues Stay Away From Me
Blues Stay Away From Me
828,142 2:17 1977-01-01
I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall
I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall
812,191 2:50 1978-06-01
Workin' Man Blues - Live
Workin' Man Blues - Live
802,061 3:00 1988-03-03
Working Man Blues - Live
Working Man Blues - Live
802,061 3:01 2007-10-08
It's All In The Movies
It's All In The Movies
791,011 3:18 1996-01-01
Mama Tried - Live
Mama Tried - Live
778,536 3:04 1988-03-03
No Reason To Quit
No Reason To Quit
773,963 2:35 1971-01-01
I Can't Hold Myself In Line
I Can't Hold Myself In Line
773,401 2:53 1969-01-01
Folsom Prison Blues
Folsom Prison Blues
749,081 2:49 2006-01-01
Ramblin Fever - Re-Recorded
Ramblin Fever - Re-Recorded
735,581 3:41 1996-01-01
Ramblin' Fever - Original Gusto Recordings
Ramblin' Fever - Original Gusto Recordings
735,581 3:36 1972-01-01
Folsom Prison Blues - Live
Folsom Prison Blues - Live
726,274 3:16 2007-10-08
Folsome Prison Blues
Folsome Prison Blues
726,274 3:16 2018-06-15
Fulsom Prison Blues - Live
Fulsom Prison Blues - Live
726,274 3:16 1988-03-03
Live This Long
Live This Long
723,291 3:35 2015-05-29
The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde
The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde
718,729 2:05 2004-05-25
The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde - Re-Recorded In Stereo
The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde - Re-Recorded In Stereo
718,729 2:08 1995-11-07
The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde
The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde
718,729 2:08 2003-01-01
Leonard
Leonard
715,718 3:38 1980-01-01
Okie From Muskogee - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
Okie From Muskogee - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
714,692 2:56 2002-01-01
Okie from Muskogee
Okie from Muskogee
714,692 3:05 1970-01-01
Make-Up And Faded Blue Jeans
Make-Up And Faded Blue Jeans
706,581 4:05 1980-01-01
Faded Love
Faded Love
705,492 3:05 2008-10-21
Blue Yodel
Blue Yodel
704,642 2:54 2019-01-21
Footlights - Live
Footlights - Live
704,236 4:04 1988-03-03
Footlights
Footlights
690,686 4:01 1979-05-18
Family Bible
Family Bible
671,574 3:37 2015-05-29
Back To The Barrooms Again
Back To The Barrooms Again
669,647 2:24 1980-01-01
White Line Fever - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
White Line Fever - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
665,143 3:05 1969-01-01
Making Believe
Making Believe
653,101 3:04 1977-01-01
California Blues (Blue Yodel #4)
California Blues (Blue Yodel #4)
652,513 2:50 1969-01-01
(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Re-Recorded In Stereo
(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Re-Recorded In Stereo
650,794 2:33 1995-11-07
(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Original Gusto Recordings
(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Original Gusto Recordings
650,794 2:30 1972-01-01
My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers
My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers
650,794 2:31 2004-05-25
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
646,713 2:50 1982-01-01
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
646,269 4:05 2019-01-21
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys - Live
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys - Live
646,269 4:05 2007-10-08
Holding Things Together
Holding Things Together
633,261 3:00 1974-01-01
Branded Man
Branded Man
618,771 1:43 2016-10-17
This Is Our Time
This Is Our Time
616,496 3:40 2008-09-01
Half a Man
Half a Man
613,154 4:13 1982-01-01
Who'll Buy The Wine
Who'll Buy The Wine
612,900 2:33 1969-01-01
Stay A Little Longer
Stay A Little Longer
612,862 2:51 1996-01-01
Huntsville
Huntsville
609,342 3:06 1971-01-01
Orange Blossom Special
Orange Blossom Special
609,216 0:57 2019-01-21
Kentucky Gambler
Kentucky Gambler
609,105 2:57 2003-01-01
Turnin' Off A Memory
Turnin' Off A Memory
604,147 2:37 2004-05-25
Turnin' off a Memory
Turnin' off a Memory
604,147 2:33 2008-01-01
Turnin' Off a Memory
Turnin' Off a Memory
604,147 2:35 2006-01-01
No Reason to Quit
No Reason to Quit
600,836 3:15 1982-01-01
It's Only Money
It's Only Money
590,087 3:56 2015-05-29
The Fugitive
The Fugitive
582,964 1:38 2017-11-28
The Farmer's Daughter
The Farmer's Daughter
580,772 2:56 2004-05-25
Farmer's Daughter
Farmer's Daughter
580,772 2:56 2005-01-01
The Farmer's Daughters
The Farmer's Daughters
580,772 2:54 2008-01-01
The Only Man Wilder Than Me
The Only Man Wilder Than Me
580,072 2:36 2015-05-29
The Roots of My Raisin'
The Roots of My Raisin'
577,792 2:44 2006-01-01
The Roots Of My Raising
The Roots Of My Raising
577,792 2:44 2004-05-25
Silver Wings - Re-Recorded
Silver Wings - Re-Recorded
570,323 2:50 1996-01-01
I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
569,594 2:44 1995-01-01
I Take A Lot Of Pride
I Take A Lot Of Pride
569,594 2:39 2008-11-17
I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am
I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am
569,594 2:39 2008-01-01
A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today
A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today
563,190 2:56 1977-01-01
Sing Me Back Home
Sing Me Back Home
554,882 1:30 2019-01-21
Driving the Herd
Driving the Herd
543,228 2:50 2015-05-29
Working Man Blues
Working Man Blues
536,279 2:48 2007-08-21
My Own Kind Of Hat
My Own Kind Of Hat
531,493 2:55 1979-05-18
Alice In Hulaland
Alice In Hulaland
526,560 3:02 2015-05-29
Today I Started Loving You Again - Live
Today I Started Loving You Again - Live
523,462 3:32 1988-03-03
The Farmer's Daughter
The Farmer's Daughter
510,643 2:55 1971-01-01
The Farmer’s Daughter
The Farmer’s Daughter
508,285 2:55 2023-06-23
Santa Claus And Popcorn
Santa Claus And Popcorn
504,404 2:16 1973-11-01
Carolyn
Carolyn
498,034 2:35 1972-01-01
It's Been A Great Afternoon - Re-Recorded
It's Been A Great Afternoon - Re-Recorded
493,401 2:50 1996-01-01
It's Been a Great Afternoon
It's Been a Great Afternoon
493,401 2:45 2008-01-01
IT'S BEEN A GREAT AFTERNOON
IT'S BEEN A GREAT AFTERNOON
493,401 2:47 2006-01-01
Ramblin' Fever - Live
Ramblin' Fever - Live
492,566 3:40 1988-03-03
Ramblin Fever
Ramblin Fever
492,566 3:39 2008-10-21
Mama Tried - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
Mama Tried - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
487,386 2:25 1969-01-01
Why Am I Drinkin'
Why Am I Drinkin'
481,819 2:41 1981-01-01
I Threw Away The Rose - Remastered
I Threw Away The Rose - Remastered
480,170 3:22 2001-01-01
Okie From Muskogee - Live
Okie From Muskogee - Live
469,078 2:40 2007-07-31
Okie from Muskogee (Live)
Okie from Muskogee (Live)
469,078 2:40 2014-05-01
Okie From Muskgee
Okie From Muskgee
469,078 2:47 2007-08-21
Workin' Man Blues
Workin' Man Blues
464,807 4:10 2011-01-01
Right Or Wrong - Down Every Road Version
Right Or Wrong - Down Every Road Version
461,819 2:39 1996-01-01
Farmer's Blues
Farmer's Blues
461,004 3:21 2003-07-01
Where Dreams Come to Die
Where Dreams Come to Die
454,192 3:19 2015-05-29
Train Of Life
Train Of Life
445,993 2:42 1971-01-01
Playboy Theme
Playboy Theme
443,089 1:32 1994-01-01
Must've Been Drunk
Must've Been Drunk
442,164 2:39 1982-01-01
Big City - Live
Big City - Live
440,201 2:50 1988-03-03
I Don't Want To Sober Up Tonight
I Don't Want To Sober Up Tonight
436,028 3:29 1980-01-01
Sing A Sad Song - Remastered
Sing A Sad Song - Remastered
434,509 2:35 1965-01-01
Sing a Sad Song
Sing a Sad Song
434,509 2:33 2014-04-15
Way I Am - Re-Recorded
Way I Am - Re-Recorded
431,407 3:00 1996-01-01
The Way I Am
The Way I Am
431,407 2:56 2004-05-25
I'll Always Know
I'll Always Know
421,033 2:22 2006-01-01
Old Man From The Mountain
Old Man From The Mountain
420,191 2:28 2003-01-01
Old Man from the Mountain
Old Man from the Mountain
420,191 2:21 2006-01-01
The Old Man From The Mountain
The Old Man From The Mountain
420,191 2:23 2004-05-25
Learning to Live With Myself
Learning to Live With Myself
409,744 4:10 2007-09-25
You Take Me For Granted
You Take Me For Granted
404,980 2:41 1981-01-01
Holdin' Things Together
Holdin' Things Together
390,010 2:57 2005-01-01
Holding Things Together
Holding Things Together
390,010 2:57 2004-05-25
HOLDING THINGS TOGETHER
HOLDING THINGS TOGETHER
390,010 2:58 2006-01-01
Okie From Muskogee - Live
Okie From Muskogee - Live
382,802 3:24 1988-03-03
Okie from Muskogee
Okie from Muskogee
382,802 3:22 2017-05-05
Workin' Man Blues - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969
Workin' Man Blues - Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma/1969