Merle Haggard -- I Can't Be Myself [REACTION/RATING]

[@scotkenison]

Simply the best!

[@scottandal]

Merle.!! Enough said

[@lindanicholson950]

Yeah. That's the stuff.

[@maureenmaclean3659]

You can never go wrong with a Haggard song. My Uncle Mack turned me into a fan at such a Young age I don’t remember ever not knowing Merle Haggard songs & always singing along. One of my all time favourites singers ! 💗💗🎶😊💗🇨🇦

[@sharonburcham25]

Good morning and what a way to start my Saturday with Merle!! My dad loved Merle and left my sisters and me so so many records!! I’m so thankful my dad lived long enough to hear Merle on surround sound!! Amazing to watch his smile!! ❤️Tennessee

[@RockN2Country]

@Sharon Burchman Glad you had a good start to your day, and that your dad got to hear Merle on a quality system!! Welcome to the channel--it's good to "see new faces" in here!! :-)

[@gregfoster4541]

Merle is one of my favorites and was sad when passed away and on his 79th birthday, thanks for sharing and you know 😁"Howdy from Texas"!!

[@BilbusWilbury]

This is one of the most incredible vocal performances I've heard from the Hag. He did have an amazing range in his early songs. He got deeper and smoother into the 80s. (Check out how crisp he is on the live version of "If I Could Only Fly" written by Blaze Foley for a good example of 80s Merle) and by his final songs he was a lot more limited in terms of range but his emotional range was beyond anything. Anyway, any Merle is good Merle.

[@frankscarborough1428]

Had never heard this one before thanks

[@PapaFixit]

I know the feeling. When I'm left without adult supervision I tend to find trouble. I know my wife loves the best parts of me. With her and help from a lot of others I work hard everyday to be a better man than I was yesterday. This is a great old Hag song. DAMN!

[@RockN2Country]

@DaveG You're a better man than you give yourself credit for, so you're starting from a good platform. A few good decisions each day, especially the small ones, add up beyond recognition. Keep at it, my brother!!

[@PapaFixit]

Thanks Don. Yes sir you got it.

[@beckyd.236]

The first time hearing this song, I thought I had heard all of his songs, No matter where I am or where I go if Merle is playing on the radio etc....I listen, I have always loved his voice and songs!

[@RockN2Country]

@Becky Dobbs I love bringing something new to folks here, even if it's only new to one person---ha!! Keep in mind that they're almost all new to me, so I'm a kid in a candy shop with headphones on!!

[@nunuvyabusiness8550]

I haven’t heard this one from Merle. Pretty good song. My favorite from Merle is still “Mama tried”.

[@RockN2Country]

@Larry Bird Oh yeah, that's a great song. I reviewed it about three or four months ago, and it takes on some deeper senses with headphones on.

[@saremile]

My Favorite has always been "Silver Wings" but it's a personal reason for me...my dad's band would cover it

[@normawilliams4101]

good one. I always enjoy your reactions. React to Bartenders Blues Vince Gill has a good one of it

[@momusicfan]

Have you heard Mo Pitney sing that song? I like that song, no matter who sings it. Good suggestion btw.

[@denisew.3447]

I just left a comment about my ties to Rutgers on your Chris Ledoux This Cowboy's Hat reaction.Would have saved it for this video if I had known you would be in Rutgers attire! haha

[@RockN2Country]

@Denise W There will be plenty of other opportunities with my Rutgers-wear on, no doubt about that at all!!

[@TheGarretdeas]

Some great analysis there, Don, of songwriting and creative writing in general. Your point about condensing life into a 2-3 mins song is well made as it does take considerable skill to carry it off. In other words "less is more" and legendary singer/songwriters in country music like Merle were able to do this through observances contained in pithy lyrics which resonate with us all. This is one of Merle's lesser known classic songs and what a legacy of great country music he left. Thanks again for another excellent commentary and rating, Don, much appreciated.

[@RandyforRoyals]

Wonderful analysis. Merle had one of the best voices in country music. Merle was also a great songwriter and this is one of the many songs written by him and is off the album Hag from 1971. Lefty Frizzell was another country artist with a great voice and a big influence on Merle.

[@crankeman639]

How did I never here this one. ( you seem to put out stuff that's new to me, and good stuff at that) I consider myself a huge Hag fan. Loved, loved it. So freaking good 💓💗 9.2 should've been a 10.0 🤣😂 I am that big a Hah fan 🤣😂 fair assessment though 👍 I'm gonna recommend an obscure throwback that is foundation building. Early from Grandpa Jones- Mountain Dew Everyone's heard of grandpa Jones but never heard a him sing, or tell a story in song.

[@smalltownfire]

“My favorite memory” probably my pick of Merle songs. Seen him with shooter Jennings once, and the malpass brothers. Both great shows. Chris Manson does a nice cover of my favorite memory, shooter produced American Aquarium’s new album btw.

[@beegee1960]

Another great Haggard song is LAST NIGHT THE BOTTLE LET ME DOWN

[@totteryflyer2910]

It just goes to show merles one of the greats. Also The Devil Makes Three "Do Wrong Right" will do you right

[@davidemswiler4351]

I could see why Merle might write this song...his dilemma must have been between millions of fans who didn't want him to change at all and his five ex-wives that surely had their own ideas. For the rest of us common males...we pretty much have to compromise or stay single. Don, I enjoyed your commentary...sorry that I thought you had taken a day off. :-)

[@RockN2Country]

@David Emswiler I knew you’d figure it out. :-). I’ve got a month of videos already recorded so I’m never short-handed.

[@WildPhotoShooter]

One of the greatest singer songwriters in country music. "Always Wanting You" was at the top of my list of songs by Hag, kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4rUhHeMjr2rjtk it is a sort of opposite to this one.

[@bluewheels3980]

I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this and I love Haggard version of this song. Having said that LeAnn Rimes recorded a knock-your-socks-off version on her 2011 ladies and gentlemen cover album right after she divorced her husband that I was blown away with. And I know there's going to be some commenters claiming that it's her fault because she cheated on her first husband. First name me one person who hasn't made a mistake? And second how many country music men singers commit infidelity all the time and nobody says anything? And thirdly that does not take away from her artistry 1 bit