WAIT WHAT!?!| FIRST TIME HEARING Merle Haggard - I Think I'll just Stay Here And Drink REACTION

[@themominator4745]

He's the king of common folk country...LOVE Me some Merle!✌️❤️

[@onionhead5780]

You and me both. 👍

[@tammycosby4495]

Haggard is a country legend and American icon. He sang about the working man so the average people could feel what his music. Mama Tried, Sing Me Back Home, Mama’s Hungry Eyes and The Fighting Side Of Me, for examples, were all about his own life. He ended up in San Quinten after he and a friend attempted to rob a roadhouse. They broke into the back door, being too drunk to notice the place was open and full of patrons. During Haggard’s stint in prison, he attended the now-famous Johnny Cash performance, which inspired him to reform and get his life together. He was later granted a full pardon by then CA Governor Ronald Reagan in the early 70s. You guys should really check out Mama’s Hungry Eyes and Sing Me Back Home if you haven’t already.

[@oregonchick76]

I think Workingman's Blues would also be a great song for them to react to; I think it personifies MH in the same way My Way does Frank Sinatra.

[@tammycosby4495]

@@oregonchick76 so true!

[@cosmiccowboy7764]

His love songs are beautiful. If we Make it through December and Its all in the Movies are country Crooning at its finest

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Merle is to country music what the Beatles are to rock. It’s impossible to underestimate the impact he had on the genre. Fact he wrote most of his own songs makes it even more impressive.

[@eternallife9786]

Did have the Jimmy Rogers albums 🤷 so he did have his share of covers but you are correct he did Pen a lot of his own hits

[@evalehde3869]

Perhaps you meant it is impossible to overestimate the impact he had.

[@thetexan526]

THE HAG was part of the outlaw music movement. He was doing time in prison when Johnny Cash came to play San Quinton. Merle Haggard is a freaking legend and one of the most talented musicians of our time.

[@lindawolf4863]

You should here Merle's, "If We Make It Through December." It was always played alot at Christmas time.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

I saw Merle like 2 years before he died. Didn’t have a set list or anything planned. Just stood up there and said “alright, what do want to hear” and played request all night. Sounded exactly like his records live.

[@christopherthornburg974]

Same. Saw him at the Fresno Fair in the 2000’s and he was still awesome. I was so lucky to finally hear him live after growing up listening to him.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

A legendary man period!!!

[@ronnycornett81]

Love me some HAGGARD!!! He was the first artist I saw in concert!! Back in the early ‘70s at the Ector County Colesium, Odessa, Texas. I’ve been a fan and continue to listen to the GREATEST!!!!

[@SP4Parks]

The HAG at one time had a 13 piece band , including horns , 2 key boards etc. plus the Strangers & his 3 sons . He was the KING of blue caller country.

[@buckyc.9069]

I assume you have "Live at Anaheim Stadium".

[@SP4Parks]

@@buckyc.9069 -what ?

[@theirmom4723]

Oh good Ol' Merle This is good old Texas Swing dancing song ....listen to "Mama Tried" "Sing Me Back Home" and Davie Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name"

[@RobertoSantana61]

Nice! - You should definitely check out Mac Davis - "It's Hard To Be Humble" (from 1980). You will love Mac Davis, everybody did in the 70's / 80's.

[@gkiferonhs]

Surely you've both heard his "Okie From Muskogie" , if not you really need to!!!

[@alanbrown3963]

Merle is a legend!! RIP!!! Just so much experience and heart in his songs, lots of great Merle songs to go!!

[@BuddyBoy68]

Hi you two! It's Andrew from Paisley in Scotland here again. I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this one, as I don't think I've ever heard one of his songs before. He's obviously not been a commercial hit over here, except for maybe the country scene, which is pretty big over here. I'm happy to have been reacting to this along with you, and I really liked it, which makes me wonder why I had never heard it before. It seems like just the type of song that would go down well in Scotland. We are world famous for liking a drink, in case you didn't know already. Not only Scotch Whisky, either. Æx 🙏 🍺 🍻

[@bloppysloppy4057]

It makes sense that Country music would be popular in Scotland and Ireland as Country music comes from traditional Celtic music. Many people from rural America are of Scottish and Irish descent.

[@TammyBeth1015]

I envy you the art you are about to discover if you pull at this thread.

[@BuddyBoy68]

Yes @bloppysloppy4057 , that's absolutely true. In Scotland, we did, after all, invent most things in the world that we use every day. Look it up. The Country to Country (C2C) Music Festival comes to The OVO Hydro every year, and we even have our own Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow! You can see more about that in the Wild Rose movie, set in Glasgow... and Nashville. Here's a trailer. Æ 🙏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/opC3maZsoJykjs0

[@BuddyBoy68]

If you're interested in knowing some of the world changing things Scotland invented, here's an amusing video by some terrible famous English blokes who actually admit it. 🤔 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmGzoKd8bpyLZ6c

[@HagFan87]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/foXWY2yHndulqZIsi=nMdMIzLC5UOTe_BU

[@kman007111]

Garth said Merle was Country Music greatest poet! So many to choose from. Sing Me Back Home, Lonesome Fugitive, Favorite Memory of Mine, Today I Started Loving You Today!! Can’t go wrong with Merle!!

[@buckyc.9069]

"Today I started loving You again".

[@LittleWolf194]

Merle Haggard is an American treasure, what most people don't know is that he was a master at quite a few instruments including fiddle, saxophone, etc. he can not be confined to just Country, but Jazz & Swing music :)

[@mariemontez6028]

The GOAT! I was so lucky to see him live and he was absolutely awesome! One of my all time favorite!

[@db-gb5xi]

Have you guys played any Buck Owens? If not, you should check out his songs like I've Got A Tiger by the Tail, Act Naturally and Streets of Bakersfield. I remember seeing old clips of him hosting Hee Haw.

[@carolmartin4413]

Move over Merle...mind if I join ya? 😁😁😁 Yep...this is pure country!

[@cosmiccowboy7764]

I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee

[@deel2621]

I love me some Merle!

[@dacryptkeeper6836]

Country music is all about REAL life!

[@unclebobunclebob]

Not the corporate country of today.

[@julietate7806]

I've been a fan of Merle since 1964, have seen him numerous times in concert, and he always had great musicians backing him up. That piano is played by Mark Yeary (who also played for Jimmy Buffett); the horn player was Don Markham; the fiddler was Jimmy Belkin... I had a friend who HATED country music until I turned him on to Merle. His voice was the most beautiful in all of country music. He wrote "Working Man Blues," covered by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

[@christiekraczek6522]

Love me some Merle!!!❤❤❤

[@sunnystormy4973]

-amazing !-

[@jeffbolton9699]

My music journey started when I was 5, singing Lonesome Fugitive on the counter in my grandma's diner. I'm 62 now and still play that song at gigs, al9ng with most of Merle songs.

[@onlyme114]

Back years ago I saw an interview with Haggard where he said he wrote the song Always wanting you about Dolly Parton. He said he fell in love with her but she was married so he never said anything. He was one of country's true gentlemen and lord could he sing !!! Please give that song a listen. I think it's the saddest song Haggard ever recorded. You can feel the pain in his voice.

[@buckyc.9069]

Hey, when the Hag fell, he fell hard.("That's the way love goes"). When he fell out, it was even harder.("Lookin for a place to fall apart").

[@you2449]

Wow. Some Merle! I always heard about this one - - but this'll be my first time to experience it. p.s., gotta add Merle's *Silver Wings* to the playlist. it's some of the more sentimental and refined Merle.

[@jamesworthington3346]

You've only scratched the surface of merles music. In his almost 60 years of music he did it all. Blues-hard core country. Light country -religious -,and easy listening. A true patriotic American and the poet of the common man

[@user-hi4cp2nl5w]

Merle had such a long career that he had a lot of different phases to his music. I really enjoy his Western Swing covers of 1930's and 1940's Bob Wills. Merle plays fiddle on these songs.

[@KlippityKlop1]

My favourite country singer. I grew up hearing Merle sing. He’s the poet of the common man.

[@JCourts2k23]

You havent heard all the side of him, so many great songs to listen to

[@billyidol7567]

Excellent choice!! You Gotta explore more of his stuff..

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

I’ll never forget how much I laughed when I was watching the movie “Officer & a gentleman” and the part where the two officer recruits are really getting shit on from the drill instructor, and the one guy looks up & says “where’s Merle Haggard when you need him?” LOL that kinda sums up right there how strong of an impact Merle had on everything.

[@TheJoshuaPimentel]

Hell yep!

[@chrisedwards7095]

Hag's band The Strangers was one of the best bands I've ever heard.

[@rickkimbley8991]

His impersonations of Johnny Cash and Marty Robins is pretty cool. Very talented

[@daveholyoak7472]

Young people discovering Merle Haggard. Beautiful!!!!

[@Bluegrass_Sparky]

Merle was THE MAN!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Definitely a party song on the jukebox in so many bars and honky-tonks. And I think any good Honky Tonk or dive bar is going to have a fight or two now and then, but the best ones, it only happens once in a while. I got to see his band and him not long after this album came out, and we were about six feet away and had some interaction with him. And he always had the best musicians around him and he's incredibly good guitarist. And he also had some family members incorporated into his band as well.

[@tinabates6662]

I think that this is honky tonk. That's what the "country bars" that you were trying to describe! Where they get up and boot scoot! Love you guys!

[@MvrckOkie007]

You know, Merle was always something beyond all the other country artists. Fantastic to see a new crowd discovering his work. And I have to say - seeing Amber jam to the Hag is really a striking and beautiful thing. Ya’ll might try learning to two step and dancing to Where the Lonely Go. Jay, don’t let those cowboys cut in!

[@kengunter6903]

Such a classic. Merl of chorse.

[@vicrodriguez8344]

In the early 90s I saw him at Toys R Us in the train section, he was known for loving train sets. I thought to myself "He looks a little rough, must be a hangover" a moment later around the corner came a young very tall gorgeous blonde cowgirl with jeans so tight they looked spray painted on and gave him a big kiss. Dayum, it's good to be a star.

[@buckyc.9069]

Hag, was very versatile. This is my personal favorite. A time or three in my past, it was always nice to know somebody out there knew just how I felt.

[@bloppysloppy4057]

Merle Haggard and Buck Owens (another legend you need to explore) were what was known as the "Bakerfield Sound". It was a bit different from the typical Nashville sound.

[@tanyahendricks8465]

I haven’t heard this song in a good while. But as soon as those first few notes started, it instantly transported me back. It was a song my Dad used to listen to when I was a kid. 😂 But he has been gone for about 14 years now. I still miss him. He was a character, to say the least. Memories sure do come back with music.

[@buckyc.9069]

All of my Dad Music memories are tied to Hank Williams. He played Wichita in late 52', but dad had to work 2nd shift at Beechcraft, but him and my Mom's cousin got to see him after the show at The BlueMoon Ballroom later. He never forgot it. That was his equal to my seein The Stones play Wichita in 2006.

[@tomaroni6670]

...Class of 76...Merle didn't seek stardom...He just loved to sing...We are still proud of another one of our Arkansas legends...RIP Merle...

[@gnfnrs1186]

Hag and George Jones were my dad's 2 favorite singers so I grew up listening to it. Love it

[@brentcox7772]

“Okie from Muskogee” is still my favorite!🤘🔥

[@shirleybuffington6420]

I like that song also but I think my favorite song of his is Song Me Back Home

[@timothyallen4267]

What other song can you name that gives you a piano solo, a guitar solo twice, and a sax solo. WOW😮 More Merle please 🎶

[@patrickperry6945]

I am simply amazed at the wide range of music genres the two of you seem to find so much pleasure in. You two are a joy to watch.

[@5150crazyfun]

What I love about Merle is yes he was classic country. But songs like I think I’ll just stay here and drink, Pancho and Lefty and Better Love Next Time all had kind of a blues type of sound that was a bit on the edge of country. He had such a smooth voice that was perfect for these blues types of songs.

[@atuuschaaw]

Y'all should listen to Merle & Willie doing the song, "It's All Going To Pot." 🙃♥

[@leeanne7169]

I love it when Jay rocks out on an old Merle or Willie and all the other Oldies that we love so much!!

[@MrDoneboy]

We were lucky to see Merle live, earlier in this century!

[@rhondabullard8099]

When I was little my parents played cards with Merle's cousins and the kids sat and listen to him before he became famous. I was lucky enough to hear one of his most famous songs Branded Man.

[@peddytendergrass6845]

You guys, by far give the best vibes to reactions to music! True fans with ears that hear and listen and actually appreciate the music and musicians. Thank y’all

[@jrox6091]

His parents were from Oklahoma but moved to central California - Bakersfield in the early 30s, same as many others during the depression and dustbowl era. He was born in Oildale, a town whose name explains the industry there. Being from central Cali myself, I grew up the child of a depression migrant from Oklahoma (Tulsa), and have met a few people who knew or met MH over the years. I am picky about what country music I'll listen to and Mr Haggard's voice is soothing and resonant. Mama Tried is my favorite of his, you may have reacted to it already. Be blessed ❤

[@michaelknight2118]

Such a talent. The Fighting Side of Me! So many country gold songs he wrote. For something fun, John Prine, Let Talk Dirty In Hawaiian, toe tapper. Thanks for the smile.

[@dwhite849]

Merle is what got me through Disco

[@ronstoner1823]

Merle Haggard was a country music icon, one of the KINGS of the Bakersfield sound as well as the outlaw country sound. I can't think of a single Merle Haggard song I didn't like, and I've heard them all.

[@TammyBeth1015]

Oh, that WAS country. I don't think Merle was ever marketed as any sort of rock, even "Southern Rock" but The Strangers were always considered one of the best country bands going. I saw them live in Memphis and they flat jam. I don't know what these 4 or 5 you've done are (apart from Poncho and Lefty) but he has a pretty massive catalog. You'll get so many recommendations but for me, the top recs are: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive Branded Man Sing Me Back Home Mama Tried Hungry Eyes Workin' Man Blues (this is another where the Strangers get to jam out some) Daddy Frank (I skipped a couple that you must have surely already done since they are his signiture songs) Carolyn (my favorite of his love songs) If We Make it Through December (if I was forced to recommend only one, this is it - not technically a Christmas song but has become one) Kentucky Gambler Movin' On (the theme song from a 70's TV series that I loved as a kid, if you get the video with the opening from the show that's cool) Ramblin Fever Running Kind I'm Always on a Mountain The Way I Am Misery and Gin (same album as the one you did here, used in a movie) I'll stop. But do know that from 1966 to 1985 he released 60 singles and !35! of them hit #1 on the country chart. Another 15 hit #2 or #3. That's insane.

[@32a34a]

Love me some Merle Haggard. One of his best songs that is really under rated is Going Where The Lonely Go. Just a real gem.

[@normanrose2711]

Nice ! thanks sooo much great reaction as always... Keep Merle coming !

[@DorianStarkey]

My Favorite Memory and Rainbow Stew are two of my favorites by Merle! Legend!

[@dsusan17]

Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum and Buck Owens all founded the Bakersfield sound.

[@dustincanaan9069]

Merle Haggard is revered as "The Poet of the Common Man." You guys haven't really even touched the tip of the iceberg. Among my favorites that you guys will love but haven't reacted to yet: Working Man Blues, The Fightin' Side of Me, Are The Good Times Really Over, Ramblin' Fever, If We Make It Through December, Daddy Frank, Big City, Silver Wings Etc, etc, etc

[@marylist1236]

React to Merle Haggard's "Sing Me Back Home"

[@shirleybuffington6420]

❤❤❤

[@jodyparkercraven]

They recorded all these solos for this song with the intention of having options once they mastered it. But they decided to keep all the different solos in it.

[@JohnBaugh-gd8kq]

Reggie Young was the guitarist.

[@TheSksexton]

Favorite Merle song and top 5 country in general!

[@markhowe6175]

Merle ❤

[@martymccoy6475]

Amber really needs to hear Merl sing (why can't I cry).

[@benk6995]

“Silver Wings” “Working Man Blues” “The Fighting Side of Me” and “Daddy Frank” are also great ones to listen to!

[@Grizzly_6623]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time and as it turns out also the way I live my life

[@donnamoskowitz4978]

Old school country is always full of surprises!!! 🤠🤠🤠

[@CarportCarl]

Mighty Merle Haggard! 👍

[@julesa35]

Love the Hag! Can’t go wrong with any of his music ❤

[@Head-ck4hu]

Just do a live show for two hours, listening to nothing but Merle.

[@johngilbanni5891]

I’ve thought about paying one of these reaction folks to do something similar. I wonder what the number would be.

[@ewrekzz7360]

Merle got those boots scootin' , huh? - EVERYBODY can two-step and that's all you need.

[@stebstebanesier6205]

Think I'll just stay here and drank this is what we used to call, "Buckle Polishing Music." "Misery And Gin" or "My Favorite Memory" should be on the play list, in my humble opinion, the studio versions are much better than any live version I've seen on KZbin.

[@hellokimmy68]

For a more tender side, check out "If We Make It Til December" and for a really fun song (but with a message that is still relevant today), you gotta hear "Rainbow Stew."

[@robynfedalen1777]

I totally love The Hag! He was one of the best.RIP Merel ❤️✌🏻🎶

[@beckysingleton596]

My mom's favorite! She loved him! I saw him 3 times in concert, with my mom of course! Lol

[@littleogeechee223]

Hag will always be a true country legend.

[@xzonia1]

The bar is Merle's happy place. :)

[@daviddonnelly9198]

Swinging Doors and Natural High are great Merle Haggard songs.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Barroom greatness that's classic country right there

[@kanyon6539]

Fun fact, I used to live in Burney California, really tiny town back in 2017. Merle had a place a little bit east of a larger town called Redding california, Anyhow while riding in the car with my parents they saw him and my parents were just waving their arms off and he just smiled and waved back it was nice to see someone famous just be a normal friendly guy. Sorry my story isn't more informative I was roughly 17 at the time but that's the way I remember Merle.

[@diceportz7107]

Pre mid to late 70s music, there was more variety in an artists catalogue than after. Even though many of these artists were tightly controlled by the labels they worked for, they still had variety in their music. Artists today are categorized and never leave that little box unless maybe it is a solo project, We never thought in terms of genre.

[@randyoldfield1849]

If you didn't know Merle was a huge jazz fan, and that's where you get the horns and piano in this piece. You should listen to his jazz covers album.

[@treydog317]

Check out “Rambling Fever”. Another great Merle tune

[@michaelshelton3910]

Nothing to say really, it’s Merle, perfection on every level.

[@donnyduty2553]

Watch the live version, same exact sound but fun to watch all the talented musicians

[@frankmarx8997]

Great reaction, I’ve heard Merle Haggard , but this was my first time hearing this.

[@37434mh]

This song is pure outlaw and pure Merle. This is the sound I always remember associated with him and many other outlaw artists. Outlaw country is really just southern rock done by country artists; they might get a little more county than that on occasion-anyway, have you heard “Shotgun Willie” from Willie Nelson yet? What about Merle’s “Ramblin’ Fever”?

[@TexasMagnolia]

The Hag! More Please! Really wished y’all would have done Merle Live. He uses this song as a jam session for his band, and you’d get to see his play! Guitar master.

[@mac62463]

I'm glad you finally got to this one. I suggested it a year ago. It's my favorite song by "the Hag" by far. It's more jazzy than country rock to me.

[@Royelsworth]

you really need to listen to how talented the Hag really is he does impressions of Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins , Hank Snow and Buck Owens so well they are dead ringers

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Putting you down won’t square the deal. A great way to let bygones be bygones.

[@alanlucio3442]

My favorite hag song. He is one of the O g's of outlaw country.