First Time Hearing Merle Haggard

[@jodyparrish637]

Townes Van Zandt wrote this and is probably the most talented song writer most people have never heard of. He is a legend.

[@Weareroses]

I love the story of how he got pulled over and told the sheriff the song pancho and lefty was written by him and the cop let him go 🤣

[@keithgrandstaff6343]

Agreed. Also my late neighbor, Linda Creed. There are more than a few under-rated song writers who should be better appreciated.

[@mattallan6338]

Rip Townes!!!

[@mlong1958]

It was cool that Townes was in the music video for this.

[@mattallan6338]

@@mlong1958 I love how u recognized that

[@jackpaper7446]

The recorded version blows this live one away!

[@charliepride1930]

it does! Have you heard where Willie and Haggard cut~ Sitting at the Doc of the Bay- Its Bad to the bone!

[@smolove4005]

Couldn't agree more, far more "feeling"

[@gator4458]

Merle was good but willie did the out of rhythm singing way too much

[@jacerea8683]

👍 👍 👍 👍

[@waltobringer2928]

Agreed

[@StephanieMunoz1014]

Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson are two American treasures. Their songs all tell a story. I grew up listening to them especially Merle Haggard. You might want to check out Kern River and If We Make It Til December by Merle Haggard.

[@pillmuncher67]

I thoroughly disagree. Merle and Willie are treasures of the whole world. I mean, I'm German, and I treasure them.

[@mattallan6338]

This is actually a Townes Van Zandt song,one of the greatest song writers ever.willie and merle do an excellent version it tho!

[@Leroych127]

This was A Townes Van Zandt song originally... just an amazing song writer, so underrated.

[@drollieascoliasm9667]

Townes van Zandt is one of the Greatest not so we'll know song writers. You should see him sing the original and talk about how he wrote it. Dead Flowers is my favorite Townes song.

[@Leroych127]

Great pick, love that song! I think my favourite is Snake Mountain Blues.

[@brandonbryan2707]

@@drollieascoliasm9667 Agreed, Townes Van Zandt was one of the greats and deserves so much more recognition. Dead Flowers was actually a Rolling Stones song, but Townes’ version was way better.

[@BrokenGodEnt]

A shame the bottle had such a grasp on him.

[@faroneasterday2579]

Merle haggard Willie Nelson is the original

[@griff9943]

You should view George Jones "Who's gonna fill their shoes"

[@richgoebel882]

That song was a little ahead of its time, but it's quite appropriate at this time.

[@cyndisanimaladventures6370]

One of my favorite songs of all times. I still tear up every time I hear it.

[@jillspears6331]

I seen Merle not long before he passed away. He was playing at a bluegrass festival in Owensboro, KY. He was great.

[@popcola1462]

How's the mutton festival going? Love from Louisville!

[@jillspears6331]

@@popcola1462 *waves* delicious as always! Can’t beat good BBQ! Hope things are well your way!

[@donmclaughlin3926]

I miss Owensboro and burgoo!! Saw many great shows there.

[@popcola1462]

@@jillspears6331 it's OK as always here.

[@popcola1462]

@@donmclaughlin3926 burgoo is getting hard to find here in the big city. The 2 spots I knew that had great burgoo are closed since the beginning of the pandemic. Might need to make a trip down there soon.

[@chrismiller2242]

I just saw Willie Nelson last week. At 89 years old he’s still putting on an excellent show. It was the best concert I’ve seen.

[@charliepride1930]

Willie Nelson: 1.Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain 2. You Were Always On My Mind(may have heard #2 its legendary) Merle Haggard: 1. Would You Lay With me Waylon Jennings: 1. Come with me 2. Lukunbah' Texas 3. Momma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys(with wille) Willie & Haggard: 4.(#1😁) Sitting By The Doc of the Bay George Jones: Choices Any or all of the above😁🤞👍 God bless bro!

[@wearinganapron]

Oh, Mr Lboyd, for your own enrichment, I hope you watch the video for this song -- it fleshes out the story SO much! It's a wonderful song. And Townes Van Zandt, who wrote this song, plays a part in the video, so that's fun.

[@ishpadful]

I agree...

[@arronjohnson8516]

This is a Townes Van Zandt song covered by Merle and Willie. If you’re interested in going down a rabbit hole, definitely react to some more Townes Van Zandt songs. They’re so deep and depressing and cerebral.

[@mattallan6338]

Townes is one of the greatest song writes of all time,RIP

[@davidtullis2810]

Merle was always in trouble when he was young. He was in San Quentin Prison when Johnny Cash sang there. Merle thought I can sing maybe that's the way out.

[@landontoney]

This is my favorite song by either of them. I can't put my finger on why exactly, but it's a good story, and just feels right.

[@JerisEve]

I first heard this Townes Van Zandt masterpiece by Emmylou Harris, and it was a completely different experience. An immediate favorite, but different. I didn't expect much from this, but its wonderful. It made me cry to tell the truth. Although it wasn't written about Pancho Villa, many of the details ended up matching his life and death. And oddly, he did have a compatriot whose nickname was Lefty. Townes said he hated to take credit for this one because it came to him out of the blue. "It just drifted in through the window and passed through me." Strange origins for one of the finest songs ever written.

[@KevinRCarr]

This reminds me of Dan Fogelberg's answer to a question about his writing of a song called; "Longer."

[@sallyatticum]

Merle Haggard: Mama Tried, Ramblin' Fever, The Fightin' Side of Me.

[@130alon]

I've been sneaking a peek at your videos for the last few days - whenever I see a song title I liked back in the day. I don't listen to the radio much any more, but it seems to me you have that 'late night show' radio voice (back in the day, being told you had a 'radio voice' was quite a compliment). I love that you are low-keyed; you have a wonderful face, and your expressions sometimes make me smile. You seem a gentle man and you're articulate and intelligent. I think I'm going to come back to your channel.

[@blakerutherford5243]

Get to see Willie in a few weeks, with Sturgil Simpson and Tyler Childers. I'm very excited.

[@michaelhill8744]

Same! In Virginia Beach right!

[@leocrimson5378]

Merle- "Are the Good Times Really Over" good one for sure!

[@petpisces]

I swear it looks like you’re tearing up. It makes me tear up! I listen to this music to feel my dad who loved this stuff so much. I love Merle and Willy❤️

[@patticriss2238]

When this song came out I was riding a barrel horse named Pancho Villa. They used to Play this for Our runs at our hometown arena. Good memory. Thanks.

[@oklahomarayne2745]

Written by Townes Van Zandt. A great writer and performer. We Miss you Townes. RIP my friend.

[@jeffduncan9634]

Big city by Merle I remember it and love it. My dad was putting my first BMX bike together in our living room and we was jamming to Merle

[@twist00100]

You really outta look at digging into some Merle from his prime. You can hear the age in his voice here has lost some of its power. And while you’re there, hit some Waylon Jennings. Smooth smooth voices.

[@wesleyfann9376]

Yessir

[@michellesirois6954]

I agree...i dont know where hes getting this stuff...Merle in his prime just blows me away.

[@supasoulproductions]

That 'weathered guitar' is named Trigger (after Roy Rogers horse). It's a nylon stringed classical style acoustic guitar made to be finger picked, but Willie plays it with a flat pick and electronic pickup to amplify it. It takes all luthier Mark Erlewine can do to keep it together and playing, Willie .was tapped by the IRS for back taxes in the 90s, and his daughter and manager helped him hide the guitar to keep them from auctioning it off, until he got the debt paid off. Willie said 'When Trigger goes, I quit'. Let's hope Eriewine can keep it going as long as Willie keeps going!

[@hankgilchrest6061]

You should do Highwayman by the Highwaymen it's one of the best Outlaw country songs of all time

[@JasonHorne72]

while the members of the Highwaymen were mostly representative of the outlaw country movement, their collaboration, and the song itself are a far cry was the sub genre of outlaw country. And Jimmy Webb was definitely not an outlaw country singer or songwriter. By the time the Highwaymen came together, they had moved far away from the moniker of "outlaw", and they actually shunned it. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful song.

[@garryprior9989]

Listen very closely to “The Fugitive” by Merle Haggard. Btw…did you know that he did some time in pridd as on? Folsom, if I am not mistaken.

[@margiemcpeak9304]

🎸💯 Great choice MrLboyd‼🔥 Thanks Willie‼ RIP Merle. ❤🕊🙏

[@edwardrutledge2765]

A masterpiece by Townes, delivered by two incredible fixtures. Lots of covers of this song, few equal or better.

[@jeffharry9675]

Yet another great flash back. Thank-You, Mr. L Boyd!

[@johnnytuttleii3242]

The redheaded stranger album was one of the first of the albums of the "Outlaw Country" years when the artist got to do their music the way they wanted without all the input from the executives and others that were focused on popularity and sales. When they heard it they said it was pretty good but they would fix it in the final recordings Willie said it is finished. It was one of countrys best selling albums because of the raw texture and color of the music. Perfection always takes a back seat to authenticity.

[@agorniak13]

I'm so excited to see this song come up. It's always been one of my favorites!! Thank you!

[@late4dinner287]

Merle Haggard "mama tried"

[@garryprior9989]

You know…I truly understand that you absolutely FEEL the lyrics and the meaning of the song because you describe the song as how you feel by the color of each voice. This is incredibly wonderful that you explain how the texture of each voice definitely adds to the song. ROCK On

[@RichardJones-up5or]

One of my favorite songs. Glad to see it being reacted to.

[@brotherbreeze8351]

Townes Van Zandt wrote his song. You'd really appreciate the studio version, Brother. This one is a bit forced. I got to hear Townes sing it before he passed. He wasn't a good singer, but he was a songwriter's songwriter. Try the studio version Willie charted with. Seriously, it was a way better cut.

[@laurelanderson6782]

I totally agree about the studio version of this song

[@Chiller1967]

yeah the beat is all wrong on this song. They are playing it to fast and taking all the emotion out of the song.

[@laurelanderson6782]

@@Chiller1967 exactly!

[@CryptoJitsu]

Snowin' On Raton is one of the greatest songs ever written as well (by Townes) .... covered very well by Town Mountain.

[@vanessaverner8480]

I love his Heartworn highway version

[@melongaming0386]

The old guitar willie uses is named trigger and it even has a whole where his had has hit it in strumming so many times but he loves the sound so much he won’t give it up there was a whole video of how they keep it up to still be used

[@shawnr771]

There is a video on KZbin about repairing Trigger.

[@Cashcrop54]

Poncho & Lefty is one of my favorite songs. Seemed like the video was flipped as neither Willie or Merle plays guitar left handed. Enjoyed watching your reaction!

[@irongoatrocky2343]

in the mid to late 90s i heard Merle do an interview that in part said after he got out of San Quentin that his life became a 30 year bus ride!.......he kept riding that Silver Chief until just before he passed, singing/telling the stories of a common man! After he passed Willies song "He Will Never Be Gone" is a fitting story of that bus ride.......... While Merle may RIP he will always live on in his music!

[@constantinevanghele9264]

Oh ya. The LP recording is powerful! When on stage Willie and Merle never play a song the same way twice.Its always different and nobody, nobody picks like Willie.

[@volbeatrules6528]

“Are the good times really over”!!!

[@paulxaviercyr]

"Warm blanket on a cold day" Exactly. (Mic drop)

[@sixpakshaker88]

The backing band here is Asleep at the Wheel. This year is their 50th anniversary. They are a Western Swing band that is completely phenomenal.

[@laurelanderson6782]

This is a great song to listen to while driving through Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, or Southern California.

[@jenniferiibradyhas493]

To really get the real feeling and appreciation of Merle haggard is to listen to his earlier recordings

[@jasonmoss7990]

Townes Van Zandt’s Rolling Stones cover of “Dead Flowers” will make you love what country used to be able to create

[@brakeman40]

I love The Hag but you definitely need to hear some of him when he was young AWESOME

[@drollieascoliasm9667]

Rainbow Stew is one my Merle Haggard favorites.

[@jamespalma3311]

Willie's gritty voice paired with Merle's smoother voice is brilliantly done....and it's infinitely better on the studio version. Definitely worth a listen. Or 2. Or 20. Nice channel, dude. I enjoy your reactions.

[@stevenellers1939]

At the end of the song the guys are in the bar in the Alamo Hotel in Austin. The guy playing the guitar is Townes Van Zandt who wrote the song. The hotel room scene is also in a room in the Alamo hotel. That place had good chili. I worked near there and occasionally had a bowl and a beer. Living in Austin in the 70-80s was a magical time for creativity and music. On any given night you could enjoy being entertained by a variety of people who have become legends in the music industry.

[@schlorn]

One of my most favorite songs of all time

[@deborahpeterson8523]

These two guys are special singers

[@medoyed1040]

Please please listen to the studio version it is absolutely phenomenal it gives me goosebumps every time..

[@Dsmwarrior1996]

That old weathered guitar of Willies is named Trigger, if I remember correctly it's the guitar he used when he played the bars trying to make it and he's used it ever since

[@charliepride1930]

"a warm blanket on a cold day" I like that analogy! I've always said willies voice is like the instruments of the guitar, it goes from 0 to to the top in an instance! One of kind! Have you heard Willie and Ray charles :Seven Spanish Angels..? Words can't describe, it's not 100% in all the live performances, but the song just takes me somewhere, idk the place that needs no name or location! Good video, no it was a great video! 👍

[@shelli4053]

Seven Spanish Angels is a favorite of mine. Always made me tear up, even as a kid.

[@rogerhanson8241]

Mr. Boyd, I absolutely love your reactions your whole setup is class class a. I could be wrong, but I seem to be noticing that a lot of your reactions are from live versions of the songs and I do believe you would be much better served with the recorded versions versions from the studio.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I love this song. I've always loved Willie Nelson. He's one of my favourite singer-songwriters. I never respected Merle Haggard, unfortunately, until after he died. My favourite by the two of them together is called *"It's All Going to Pot".* You should check out that song if you haven't already.

[@georgsyphers1437]

Townes Van Zandt is one of the most amazing song writers, with one of the most tragic life stories. His version of this is so much more emotional and vulnerable, but nothing compared to his heart sending To Live Is To Fly

[@agorniak13]

I recommend watching the video for this song. It's really good! Like watching a western movie.

[@misfits-of-war9970]

It's a Townes Van Zandt song they just made it popular since TVZ flew under the radar. Merl had a number of great songs MAMA TRIED is one of his best. The 3 years he did in Prison encapsulated into one song....

[@jewls9697]

I think the last song Merle Haggard recorded before he passed, was with Willie Nelson called...It's All Going to Pot!! Great song!!

[@marvinboswell6889]

Willie is a great song writer and these two are magical

[@jessicavail763]

This guy has a very pleasant speaking voice! Also, great review!

[@JohnnyZBeatZ]

One of my favorite songs I love this song

[@chrislawver966]

I use to play this on the juke box at the local bar in the early 80's. Many memories flood back when I hear it

[@mikelee8937]

I remain bemused at your need to hear these songs live. The studio versions are the product they MEANT to put out, polished and all.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Merle had 38 number one classics and wrote 34 of them. Wille is a great song writer.

[@pantsedjuniorhayseed4816]

lol might be time for ol Waylon to tell the story of how outlaw country came to be....

[@christymurphy6571]

2 music legends. Great reaction.

[@GaOutlawVinyl]

The song appeared on an album of duets Merle & Willie did together. It was written & originally performed by Townes Van Zandt. You should definitely check out more of his music. Some of his best include Waiting Around To Die, If I Needed You, Snowing On Raton & Tecumseh Valley.

[@GaOutlawVinyl]

P.S. I’ve heard Townes give 2 separate stories as to how he came to write Poncho & Lefty. I don’t believe either. The first he said he wrote it about 2 Mexican bandits he saw in a movie he watched 2 weeks after writing it. The second was he wrote it about 2 border agents he met. One was white the other was Mexican. The white guy was nicknamed Poncho, the Mexican was nicknamed Lefty.

[@pawpawmike7372]

Willie named that guitar "Trigger" 50 or 60 years ago, and it has been by his side since then. Had the pleasure of meeting Willie in Lake Charles, La. back in the 80s, what a remarkable, talented human being.

[@bmwdjj13]

Willie's Red-headed Stranger Album is amazing!

[@SusanAHubbard]

I love this song. Its a little different in the studio releases, but adore it however it is. It sounds a little faster in this recording. The opening lyrics remind me of dad, which he absolutely owned when I told him

[@MrDevilman069]

Sing me back home by Merle is great.

[@josephgamble4561]

this is one of my all time favorites love this story bro!! and catch the studio version its better

[@timshelley8635]

Great video! This song was actually written by and originally recorded by Townes Van Zant, who you should check out also. Thanks for this!

[@joe2870]

"Just breath" is another fantastic Willie Nelson song I recommend you review that one

[@sharonpate5481]

“Mama Tried” should be your next Merle Haggard selection! Loving your reaction videos ☮️♥️🌼

[@mellisa212]

And mandolin orange. Golden Embers. That song really speak to me

[@TheKatherine1958]

The Hag! With Willie! Great song. Another one we can thank Townes Van Zandt for writing it. Perfection. I think this was about Pancho Villa…

[@sixpakshaker88]

My two favorites from Merle are Momma Tried and Silver Wings.

[@charlotterobinson6523]

i listen to your channel for just a few times and fell in love with it and i subscribed

[@eldorajohnson3894]

Look who is singing with them. The lead from ASLEEP at The Wheel

[@Azna61]

Check out "If We Make It Through December".

[@Gypsy-Wind]

Willie and Merle are legends and absolutely amazing. I don't know if you have discovered him yet, but if not...you need to listen to MARTY ROBBINS. Specifically, his El Paso songs. They are the best. "El Paso" released in 1959 was amazing. But when he released "El Paso City" in 1979 everything came together . HIGHLY recommend, if you find you are drawn to western ballads. Listen to them in order for the full impact..

[@secretadmirer5006]

Merle Haggard recommendations: The Fugitive, Skid Row, many many more. Country music's all-around genius. As others said, check out the studio version of Pancho & Lefty - stronger vocals, altho I do like the guitars in this live version.

[@cheatingiscompeting3647]

Two old timers just picking together one last time before one of them passed away. Two of the greats.

[@drollieascoliasm9667]

Willies guitar is Named Trigger. It's like BB Kings "Lucille" It's got a special sound to it.

[@iamhudsdent2759]

The essential Merle Haggard song, pure poetry: The Running Kind.

[@toneighty6913]

Willie has the strangest talent of fitting his words in the beat.

[@shawnr771]

Waylon said he was always one beat behind.

[@outoftheirskulls5676]

BB King said Willie was his favorite singer; and wished he had his voice.

[@deannasisson5751]

My brother sang Merle Haggard stuff as far back as I can remember. 'Fighting Side Of Me' was the song that made Merle famous, a lot claim. 'Momma Tried' and 'Sing me Back Home' are both contenders to that theory. The 'Lefty' in the Pancho and Lefty song is suppose to be Lefty Frizzell. A mentor of both Merle and Willie, George Jones and a ton of other singers of Country. The song is suppose to be a thing on reincarnation. Supposedly, Pancho died the day Lefty was born, nobody knew where Lefty 'got the bread to go', and you get the idea. Halloween-ish! Not really scary, but made a good song. Both were their Mother's favorite son. Pancho had 2 brothers, Lefty had 7 or 8 siblings. His brother, David sang with Dotty West's daughter, Shelley back in the late '70's/early '80's. You might like those, too. I have enjoyed your stuff. With most people doing this sort of thing, you can tell they fake the reactions, but you I will keep watching. Thank you.

[@charlesmiller6826]

Check out "If I can find a clean shirt" by these two, it is a party of a song. Or a song of a party.

[@sabbyvk424]

Classic Country was built on storytelling...but only the greats could pull you in and make you feel and truly experience it. Here's just a few suggestions... Willie Nelson - "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" & "The Last Thing I Needed" Tom T Hall - "Old Dogs, Children & Watermelon Wine" Kris Kristofferson - "Why Me Lord" George Jones - "The Grand Tour" Red Sovine - "Teddy Bear" & "The Deck Of Cards"

[@kennethestes1828]

If you want to see Merle at his peak live performance along with his phenomenal band the Strangers look at what they did on Working Man's Blues live. Merle was one of the best and his band was lit.

[@garystrother7686]

Willie Nelson has always been a good song writer and entertainer. He wrote the song "Crazy" for Patsy Cline. He sang at a bar one night for her agent, and even though it was the middle of the night her agent took him over to her house woke her up and she made it famous. Merle Haggard was so good with any music and could imitate almost all the big male stars back than.

[@michaelconner9796]

Rose in Paradise - Waylon Jennings, Or alternatively "Angel Falling to close to the ground" Willie Nelson (live from Austin City Limits).... There's some soul in those.

[@benbrewington8095]

you got two great friends singing to gather one last time to fans the greatest version but kinda sad as we remember there glory days as well as our own

[@tylerbenoit7413]

Cedar Town Georgia- Waylon Jennings is one worth checking out

[@janefones5505]

You can not Beat Willie's Wonderful gruff voice..I love it.Haggert is great also

[@JasonHorne72]

As it's been mentioned, Townes Van Zandt wrote this. I anyone reading this wants more insight into Townes, to hear a haunting rendition of Waiting Around to die and a "Medley of" his hit, this song; check out Heartworn Highways. When it was originally recorded, Willie was in the studio late and came across the song and went and woke up Merle to come inside and sing a verse. He did, and then went back to sleep.

[@robertparsons5295]

Check out Kern River by Merle. Great story and, as always, his voice is like new silk.