First Time Hearing | Merle Haggard - Mama's Hungry Eyes Reaction

[@quinjesuis9187]

This song makes me feel like iam in a porch swing rocking gently back and forth with friends and family on a cool evening just after supper and we are listen to him sing and humming along 😊

[@sherrelwilson7354]

Merle's voice & delivery of this song in particular is like no other. It's 4:15 am and I'm bawling my eyes out😭 That's the way love goes is another great song of his

[@johngilbanni5891]

I always wondered if that little oopsie in the first chorus to ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ was left in intentionally. There’s a note that’s hit and pulled off of immediately. I’ve heard more than one artist say he was very much a perfectionist and I can’t see any reason it was left there other than on purpose, for some reason. Obviously a great song, I’ve just always wondered about that.

[@sandramoore]

Merle wrote and sang many great songs. I believe he wrote this about where his family fled Oklahoma and settled into a labor camp near Bakersfield, California.

[@j.t.3798]

The working man's poet. Great reaction brother

[@donnaewe3692]

Merle Haggard! One of the Original GOATs! ❤️‍🔥

[@RogCBrand]

You were right, Merle's family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression, working as migrant farmers, and I believe his father died when he was very young, so a very hard life.

[@allendixon7700]

I like all that Merle Haggard but daddy Frank Call Daddy Frank daddy daddy Frank Howard❤❤

[@sharonburcham66]

The man of MEN! I loved and do love Merle! He was the BEST! Forever

[@labchic97]

Lonesome fugitive, Ramblin fever, footlights there are so many great song from Merle

[@terryduncan31]

His parents were Okies that moved to California for work.

[@mt3311]

His family did live in a migrant camp. His father renovated a train box car for the family to live in. This from the 1930'sw here in the US. Whole families picked cotton so as to make sure there was enough eat. Had to pick cotton to earn ones keep from the age of 10 or 11.

[@TheAyeAye1]

He was the really deal. His family and mine were in the same cotton camp in the Thirties.

[@curtismarsh4051]

Merle grew up in a glorified labor camp in the depression near the Kern River close to Bakersfield. They lived in an abandoned train refrigerated box car, his father turned it into a modest home.

[@markoehler2752]

This is one of a handful of iconic Merle songs, and one of his best. If you want to see the emotion in his music, try “holding things together” I think it’s his best ever. Also “in my next life” and “if I could only fly”. Anything Merle is solid gold. Also, unfortunately as he aged, he often “messed up” in his live performances, repeating some verses, & leaving others out, that kind of thing (as evident in this recording). To get the full effect of his songs, I suggest either a studio/official version, or a live performance from his earlier years. Merle was the greatest, and he has always been well respected, but unfortunately none of us are immune to the effects of time marching on…

[@johngilbanni5891]

One of the Austin City Limits shows he messed up the words to ‘Ramblin Fever’ but caught himself and then winked at the camera a few seconds later and just went on lol

[@labchic97]

Yes more Merle please! ❤

[@esc952]

That there is the poet of the working man. The late, great Hag. Mama's Hungry Eyes is awesome, but my favorite is Mama Tried. By the way, you should review a video where he played the original version (he skipped 2 verses in the one you did): A canvas covered cabin in a crowded labor camp Stands out in this memory I revive My daddy raised a family there with two hard workin hand And tried to feed my mamas hungry eyes. He dreamed of something better and my mama's faith was strong Us kids were just to young to realize That another class of people put us somewhere just below One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes. Mama, never had the luxury she wanted But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try She only wanted things she really needed One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes. I remember mama praying for a better way of life But I don't recall a change of any size Just a little loss of courage as their age began to show And more sadness in my mama's hungry eyes. Mama never had the luxury she wanted But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try She only wanted things she really needed One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes. Oh, I still recall my mama's hungry eyes...

[@debbers]

That's how almost all of us old(er) people are, we know what we can afford and we don't go into debt getting things we want, we save for the things that we need!

[@lavenabaxter6504]

❤ Merle ❤

[@757optim]

The Hag was greatness. RIP.

[@TexasPicklz]

I had the privilege to see Merle in a small Texas town near my home, in the 90s. He was still strong in his vocals and really tore that place up! Gosh it was a fun concert.. then as he got older he slowed down (as we all do) but his heartfelt delivery when singing stayed the same throughout his career at all ages. You are correct, he is a legend. Thanks for the reaction.

[@johncarroll9489]

He could be singing about so many mothers and grandmothers, my grandmother included. She was an amazing woman.

[@chuckw1610]

So this is one of my favorite songs. And always held a very special place in my life. You really need to hear a younger Merle sing it.

[@curtismarsh4051]

Silver Wings, Today I started loving you again, The seashores of old Mexico, all worth a review.

[@sandralorenz1796]

Silver Wings is another good song by Merle Haggard.

[@jamesworthington3346]

Merles voice was fading in this version but he sang it with emotion that got your attention. Earlier versions showed his stronger voice but didn't have as much emotion

[@artfisk3]

"the way i am " my favorite of merle's

[@stevemaggard5866]

Merle once said he wasn't smart enough to write about things he didn't know and hadn't experienced

[@ivansavoie3190]

Branded Man is a good one.

[@HagFan87]

Keep digging you’ll find he’s all around the best ever. There’s been better singers maybe, songwriters maybe, musicians maybe, all around not many can touch him. He’s the Jim Thorpe of music to me

[@dannyscott8806]

Love your channel and your reactions. You should check out "Daddy Frank". It's another good story song by Merle.

[@tbarber863]

He was not called the common man's poet for nothing.

[@humpy936]

Unfortunately, Merle’s voice just wasn’t up to par in this performance, of course the song still hits you in the feels.

[@kathyohare]

The original version when he was younger much better than this one .

[@GaryLBlakeley]

The Haggard family never lived in a labor camp.

[@dalepiedlow5045]

Too bad he is in the twilight of his career. The original recording is much superior to this.

[@gregrenn2138]

I can't believe you brought back that flying astronaut. The video of Merle is already fuzzy, why add to the distraction? I am not even finishing the video, the distraction is just to much. Please fix this, and thank you, because I otherwise I really enjoy your work.

[@johngilbanni5891]

It’s a matter of copyrights. They can’t show it as it appears. It’s also why a lot of reviewers stop in the middle of the video and talk for a little while.

[@gregrenn2138]

@@johngilbanni5891 It is the video of the flying astronaught that is irritating and unnecessary. I get the copyright thing concerning Merle's video.

[@johngilbanni5891]

@@gregrenn2138 perhaps you could suggest something that is more to your liking

[@gregrenn2138]

@@johngilbanni5891 Sure. Please get rid of the video of the flying astronaut positioned over the video of Merle, which is already fuzzy. Don't you see, Merle Haggard vs flying astronaut. One of those does not belong.

[@johngilbanni5891]

@@gregrenn2138 he has to, as you know. Would a yellow hot air balloon be better? If you want to watch the video, most of the reaction people put the link in the original post. If not, let me know and I’ll find it so you can watch that and not the astronaut, or the bear, or the refrigerator.