Merle Haggard - George Jones - The Way I Am

From a 1997 TV special "Workin' Man - A Tribute". Any time Hag sings with George, he can't help but impersonate him a little! I think he did it a lot on the "Yesterday's Wine" album. This is a song Jones would have also have had a hit on if he got it first (but he wouldn't have done the yodel at the end...), Nonetheless, it was a perfect song for Merle.

[@MarlaHoneycutt]

There is nobody like the possum and the Hag. Good ole boys. God Bless them.❤

[@nancyphillips8001]

I love George Jones but when the Mighty MERLE walks out on stage, there is just nobody like him, his presence just makes the who show perfect. Miss them both, still tear up over Merle's passing. He will always be #1, nobody will ever, ever fill his shoes.

[@davidhanshaw7840]

You are so right.

[@galewinds7696]

Careful, you are walking on the fighting side of me. 😊

[@JamesBroughton-ld4zx]

Yes you both are exactly right this is when country music was music but honestly I'd definitely don't like it when they can put Scottie m in the country music of hall of fame he has earn it anything yet and honestly in my opinion he can't even sing

[@kurtfoster3640]

this is one of the few times i have seen Merle look like he was actually happy. it always seemed to be a deep sadness in his demeanor. i was fortunate enough to be able to spend an hour with him, Fussy and Louis on the buss once in the late 70's. that's a memory .......

[@mtnmusicfan]

These two gentleman defined what "real" country music was meant to be. Unfortunately, we will never get to witness their kind again in history... (thanks Nashville!) I am sure glad I was around to see them both during their time... RIP Merle and George

[@ronnie5129]

THESE TWO LEGENDS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC THAT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER, COUSIN FIGEL

[@shanonrowland8385]

What an incredible duo!! This is country music at its core and its finest!

[@tinascissor1319]

So true

[@RichardHSears]

People forget that Merle was not “just” a singer but also a great imitator of others and a great guitar player which was his original plan. As stated before, of all the artists we know by a single name, Merle, or the Hag, leads the pack

[@mattwright6462]

Very true

[@bert357]

Merle was also a great song writer

[@KLUNKET]

Jones was so damned GOOD... What can you say about a talent like his??? The man performed surgery on words, precise and perfect every time. He literally was and is Country Music.

[@edsmith6822]

KLUNKET you are so right I love George jones

[@abbywood7454]

You are 100% right on that, and i agree with you 100%

[@terribleTed-ln6cm]

AMEN !. .....THE ROLLS ROYCE.

[@deansurratt7936]

George Jones wasn't the singer Merle Haggard was, IMHO! Even George himself said that the Hag was the best singer ever, next to Hank Williams, Sr! I'll have to agree! No one had the unique tone & quality of voice Merle had!

[@loismoreau9304]

@@deansurratt7936 And Merle said George was the best .- his voice was an instrument like a Stradivarius violin.

[@shobudsteeler]

The two best country singers ever, together... doesn't get better than that!

[@orkneywoman]

I miss them both. :-(

[@darlenemstrommer7687]

They singing in heaven with all

[@mikemorris2448]

Real Country Music is now gone! Merle was my favorite singer period. R.I.P Hag until we meet in Heaven someday .

[@all95621]

2 LEGANDS at their best. LOVE IT. GOD BLESS COUNTRY MUSIC.

[@karenspicklesd]

two of the very best singers god gave us...RIP GEORGE AND MERLE

[@minoukatou47]

George Jones is so amazing!!!!! I was raised with the possum..Jim Reeves Hank Snow Buck Owens and I was 17 years old when I heard Merle singing Oakie from Muskogie and many many amazing songs he sang for us.....Thank you Merle!!!!!

[@friendlysnake]

Just awesome. In my opinion these are the two best country music has to offer. I've heard George say that this is his favorite Hag song. When George hits the low note at "I can almost feel," it's effortless. Nothing like these two.

[@peterj.martin8824]

this song is by the two greatest singers of traditional country in the last 50 years; great George and Merle....

[@wendysnook9946]

YES SIR!!

[@KLUNKET]

Friday afternoon Merle Haggard released a one line statement on twitter about the loss of his friend... "The world has just lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen." I happen to agree with him. R.I.P. George Glen Jones... we will definitely NOT "Stop Loving You Today"

[@joelamonte7256]

LEGENDARY, George's smile at the end☺☺

[@KLUNKET]

I can't understand how anyone could dislike 2 of the greatest singers to ever grace the earth together on the same stage.I think the millions of fans over the last 6 decades cancel them out though! I saw Jones in concert about a dozen times in the 80's & 90's & he would get 2 or 3 standing ovations (sometimes more) in each show! Even today despite his voice fading people still stand in awe of this man. Hag is the same way, people just can't get enough of him! Two legends of unbelievable stature!

[@pistroliakrazies]

What a great song! 2 of my favourites. Doesn't get any better then this. Love when George says " ahh thats country". Sends shivers through me when I hear these 2 sing together.

[@dkstarkey7135]

I listen to Merle so much , that I had forgot how good George was, I love them, I spend a lot of my time listening to them.

[@toddbcp1]

This is real Country!! when are the other phonies in Nashville going to catch on to what Good Country Music really is!!!!

[@bettylumpkin9480]

Hes still.the best we still leasen Jones Possum.Bett

[@tinascissor1319]

So true.

[@1960etsjr]

AS THE HAG SAID WHEN GEORGE DIED TODAY COUNTRY MUSIC LOST ITS GREATEST INSTRUMENT EVER PERIOD !!!!!

[@KLUNKET]

I dont care what anyone else says... These are the two greatest singers to EVER grace the earth. God I miss Country Music. Todays auto-tuned prettied up so called singers could learn alot from these guys! No auto-tune or fancy stage production here... just pure TALENT.

[@jcprio145]

This duet by the two greatest country singers is one of the most memorable moments in country music history. This version outshines even the solo recordings by both. Who but Haggard and Jones could togther tear out your heart, and also make you smile, with a seemingly simple song about a working man who dreams of a better life,

[@kennymarvin7736]

HE WASN'T ONE OF THE GREATEST HE WAS THE "GREATEST". AND MERLE IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM !

[@misslantana52]

What a gem, two legends! 💖

[@karenjones2381]

Great voices, but what was even greater was their styles,,,,,two of the best,,,,,okay The two best!

[@scoobyroorogers]

Well said

[@vadiscox9679]

The absolute best😍

[@superchef78]

When you say styles does that refer to phrasing or physical dress/swagger? Jones/Haggard ties greatest ever imo but Jones went too nasally on some of his high notes a lot it seemed. He sang ‘em kinda flat too.

[@KLUNKET]

Words take on a whole new meaning when George Jones finely tunes them don't they??? Jones+Hag= PERFECTION

[@theeaskey]

Those days it ain't easy to bring a silly grin on my face ..this done it .from an Irish man that viewed those two as the gods of country music .. that will never change rip , you two monsters ..

[@audijo4721]

I miss everything about yesterday.

[@robbie0884]

BEST DAMN 2 COUNTRY SINGERS TO EVER LIVE!!! RIP GUYS AND THANKS FOR MANY YEARS OF NOTHING BUT THE BEST COUNTRY MUSIC TO EVER BE!!!!

[@deedeescrystalblueclassics3973]

Two of country's finest gentleman & entertainers which you'll never see the likeness again!

[@deborahturner5200]

two living legends! love them both!

[@scottmcgibeny]

What an amazing yet painful day April 6 is. 79 years ago GOD blessed us with the birth of what would become one of the greatest country performers and true gentlemen. On that same day 79 years later after Merle had given so many wonderful memories and incredible songs, GOD decided it was time to bring him up to be with him. Now he's up there with Possum, Marty, Buck, Porter, Ernest, Bob, Lefty, Johnny, Ray, Waylon, and Hank and they are having one awesome party.

[@MikeWayson]

merle joins many of his buddies in heaven, including the ol' possum. r.i.p merle

[@rlonoway8817]

Mike Wayson g

[@teresaguilfoyle2390]

Mike Wayson Real country The greatest country singers ever

[@hopeellis7766]

Mike Wayson your tight

[@timwalker2753]

My all time favorite country song and rendition. Doesn’t get any better than Haggard and Jones. This is real country.

[@georgiavarnum8069]

Thus, it should be on a national playlist. There has never been a truer heart felt song.

[@franklatona2667]

I gotta tell ya I was grief stricken when George left us To this day when I hear George do this type of song I sit down and cry and I cry as long as I need to. With all the respect in the world to Hank Sr. George is number 1.

[@dorothymiller9418]

it doesn't get better then this, the true country singers, whose gonna fill there shoes- no body, RIP George.

[@thestewlaw]

Merle, the great impersonator of so many other artists, including Johnny and Marty, had too much respect for George to ever riff on his vocal style but he allows himself one precious little indulgence here. One of the great country bromances

[@margieknight6568]

Merle Haggard and George Jones, two of the best!!!!

[@shirlwalker9859]

So so happy that I got to see those two live in concerts ..love them both .. Now it's so sad that one of them is gone RIP GEORGE JONES

[@hanklogsdon8390]

Two Country greats together awesome!😃

[@evelynmulvaney173]

There will Never, be country singers, like these guys again. Plus Walyon, Kris, Johnny, n Willie. God the great songs, They were the Masters. Miss them all. Willie n Kris, still with us. DO they realize the happiness, they brought to us all. Love Forever. ❤

[@FastestGrassAlive]

If you don't like this, I am not interested in whatever you do like.

[@marymarshall8829]

nathan woodard g

[@1pointt21gW]

This might well be the best youtube comment ever posted. :)

[@carlospons5571]

I discovered this music not too long ago. I love it so much ! For some reason I put it together with my beloved country. Somehow it helps me not to quit fighting the good fight , the melody makes me love my dearest America more and more ! I want to be close to whoever or whatever makes me feel that way !

[@rodeoman2751]

FastestGrassAlive .. BRILLIANT comment 🏆

[@peterdegroot6644]

Perfect

[@waynemoverley563]

George jones the best Country and western singer ever to go on stage

[@tyleryoung5444]

this is truly an amazing experience to watch

[@sandydouvia3993]

The best of the Best.George Jones and Merle Haggard are Brilliant here.Adore them.Have been with George fifty yrs and almost that long with Merle

[@deanyoung6250]

they should just shut Nashville down the best music has all ready been made

[@KountryStateOfMind]

J young you got that right!

[@chasptrs.4922]

+Dean Young Sadly, very true; music has run out of good song writers. They may as well close the "shop".

[@Shelldrake52]

+Dean Young Amen 10 times!

[@chasptrs.4922]

Just the other day I watched Dr. Hook again, their crazy antics, I love it; talented guys, they know how to entertain "me"; got my money's worth in D/Under. And the Bee Gees, they were great too; watched them from the very start on Band Stand. There were many great artists starting their careers during the early 60, where are they all ?

[@Rexag]

+Dean Young AMEN!!!!! Spot on, Dean!

[@stephaniepersin4145]

This is REAL country music.

[@irishcountry5110]

george was one of the greatest singers ever god bless to all his fans

[@celtic304]

+irish country The greatest .

[@lady67L]

That is a sound we will never hear again live,,,,2 masters of pure country music,,,,,,👏👏👏👏

[@TigerKing77]

Now that's real country right there as possum would say..... In my opinion It don't get any better than that the way I am, yesterday's wine two of my very favorite songs by two of my favorite artists there's a huge void of this in Nashville's music today guess they can't find anyone to fill those SHOES..... Hag and Jones may be gone but the music lives on in my home.

[@jeddyhi]

I swear it is like a tradidition for me now to get up with coffee and youtube every Sunday morning and wind up crying listening to this old country music. I ain't complaining......

[@branon6565]

Kind of strange that Vince Gill, along with damn near every other country recording artist he personally knows, is of the opinion that Merle was the greatest singer country music has ever seen, to go along with his being the best song writer ever....and Merle was in the business over a 6 decade span, no one has ever done it for that amount of time...RIP Merle....

[@caseydog6849]

My knee jerk reaction is always Hank#1 due to volume, originality and innovation of his works. And Kristofferson #2 or 3 for songwriting. But Merle is arguably as good or better than all of them. His lyrics are intelligent, very reflective and come from a deep passionate place within his soul. He also vocally supports the plight of the underdog, the working class and underprivileged. Simple put, he knew the world well, experienced it deeply and wrote a wonderful legacy of songs for us to enjoy.

[@krisschlitt8735]

Branon Fontaine George Jones is better Haggard is #3

[@richardmurdoch2232]

Branon Fontaine do your homework George Jones was in the business longer and most artist and including Merle would tell you the possum was the greatest singer I know because the Hag told me he was a great guy just like George

[@mikusaurelius518]

I like em both...who gives a shit what anyone says. Just like what you like....Arguing about nothing

[@jacktheglide9411]

Mikus Aurelius well said...!

[@cynthiadaly1025]

Another Country Music Legend pass away......Merle Haggard RIP......Great Artist you'll be singing with George Jones your friend forever.......

[@MrJustinbama]

we ll never have talent like this again.priceless

[@leahharris5]

❤❤❤. Rest In Peace 🕊️🕊️. Merle Haggard ❤❤❤

[@Bearwoman11]

These are the great ones. I love me some George Jones! Add to that, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Willie. I was raised on country music. Some of the Fondest Memories that I have is riding in in our station wagon, Dad at the wheel and country music playing. My father served in the military and was introduced to country music. He also loved Frank Sinatra Dean Martin too! They will truly be missed! I miss my father and those times in the family station wagon too! God bless them all!

[@dmreeoogdaq]

Just my opinion, but this video shows us the best Country singer who ever lived singing with his favorite Country singer, who happened to be the 2nd best (and a VERY, VERY, VERY close 2nd) Country singer who ever lived...he also happened to be, arguably, the greatest singer/songwriter in the history of Country music (Willie Nelson is the reason it's arguable). That giant hole in Country music, through which all that cold, cold wind is blowing, is the void left by George Jones and Merle Haggard. Thank God we have video and audio recordings of these unassuming geniuses, who likely never once considered themselves to be geniuses, which is what made them so very special.

[@pastordanielwisconsin5612]

george vocals are always gold, i need my daily fix of jones,

[@williamhutcheson6511]

Same here.

[@marccohen4571]

George Jones was the greatest country singer ever!

[@louisbotsford4654]

Thanks for posting, its fun to see these two giants perform together. They have such a genuine mutual admiration for each other as people and as artists.

[@KountryStateOfMind]

Don't get no better than that right there! RIP George...Live On Merle!

[@thomasfraser6651]

best two in country by a mile . wish i could see them live on stage

[@joyatutolu8417]

One of my fav songs of these two ..... absolutely phenomenal.... Joy from Down Under, New Zealand...

[@cherryrodriguez9685]

now this is country music!!! ❤

[@melindagil74]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWW THAT'S COUNTRY (real Country)

[@joefurlong7638]

No words for a New Yorker to describe this.... am mesmerized !!!

[@joyglas6371]

MY TWO ALL TIME FAVORITES!!

[@mikusaurelius518]

Rip Merle, I'm sure its good to be reunited.

[@jamestyler6933]

At first Merle doesn't realized the crowd isn't going wild for him! It's classic

[@taylorjaeckels4534]

were losing all the real heros of country musicthese 2 icons will never be replaced rest in peace you did a fine job here

[@mikerice58]

RIP Merle I know that George and Hank Sr. was waiting for you.

[@lionjwd]

Mike Rice my mom was a Rice from Perry County, KY. She loved Hag

[@mikerice58]

Awesome

[@jakecarhart8253]

don't forget about Cash

[@lionjwd]

Oh no never

[@MySnaz]

Two brilliant country greats!!

[@jawbonelive3813]

I doubt I'll ever see this type of talent again in my life time...

[@aloisemason3044]

Never will be another Merle Haggard and George Jones again

[@stevenmassey7586]

Who's gonna wear their shoes, who's who's gonna stand that tall Who's gonna play the opry and the Wabash cannon ball Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to you and me..... Lord i wonder who's gonna fill their shoes. 💘

[@anelladambrosio2513]

Che meraviglia!abbiamo due leggende...due grandi voci....😇😇😇😇😇💘💓💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@bamamoondog9039]

Awesome !! Two Legends of Country Music. R.I.P George Jones.

[@pup5ful]

rest in peace george....loved your music ...my husband also thought you were the greatest hope he meets you up there!

[@otherbg]

For the folks what might not know. that mighty song was written by an old Texas boy named Sonny Throckmorton. He originally wrote the chorus with the lyric reading "The way I am, I fit my shackles." instead of "don't fit my shackles". He was not happy with the change which turns the Satisfied Man into a Disgruntled Fellow. Never did say whether or not he caught the fish, but the bobber was dancin'..

[@kevinpenny728]

Two.bum.

[@550tommy1]

Enjoy it while we can...it's history that's going to be just that. These two are something that will leave us with the reality that music and it's essence are not something to be taken lightly. Without it and these people like Hag and Jones, we'd never know the real deal.

[@lorrainedavis4523]

2of the best country singers that ever livedGeorge Jones&Merle Haggard

[@haggardly79]

2 classic HALL-OF-FAME singers ~

[@WAC551993]

those 2 are the best that ever hit country music in my opinion, man that was amazing, pure country, thanks for posting Johnny

[@bubbafreesnake]

George looked pretty happy with his low note.

[@debbiebeck2085]

I agree about Merle looking happy! Loved the two men!

[@sheryljones5207]

I married into the Jones family and I met George a few times through the year's I got so nervous but he was just his self and put Me at ease.

[@Robert-tm4yj]

Does not get any better than the 2 greats😢❤

[@celtic304]

RIP Merle hope George was waiting at the gate of Heaven for you.

[@subtoimtoxic5149]

Soaked in it! I love this music, it makes the bad times easier and the good times great!

[@otravez3916]

I wish these shows were available. This is something I would gladly pay to watch. Thoroughly feel-good entertainment.

[@kellycarrier7433]

Wow the Poss and the Hag love there music.

[@rationallogo]

These two greats are singing in heaven together. RIP, Merle. You'll be missed.

[@courtneybuie9938]

Two of the worlds greatest country music legends picking and singing... great song and video to watch!!

[@charlottewadkins986]

my favorite Hag song sung by the two of them- wow-- RIP my George Jones- Fly Easy sir

[@rocherossier278]

ALL THESE PEOPLE ON THIS PAGE JUST SAID WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS I LOVE BOTH OF THESE GENTLEMEN JUST TERRIFIC MUSIC

[@kennymarvin7736]

"AW HE'S COUNTRY"! BEST DUO EVER RECORDED !

[@sharonselvey5030]

I love this incredible duo. So Beautiful song lyrics too Thanks

[@valeriegutierrez411]

I hung out with Merle and the Strangers one summer Day in Eugene Or 2002 and must say ,He is one of the kindest coolest people I have ever met ,Thanks for the great memories Merle R.I.P. Manny Gutierrez The High Desert Renegades,Baker City Or

[@billydavidsonvip]

They will never be anyone who can replace these two men