🇬🇧 British Reaction to Merle Haggard - Sing me back home | STUNNING! 🇬🇧

[@bcojr1074]

Merle was and is a Country Music LEGEND. At the time he did this he had lost one lung to cancer and could still pull it off.

[@warrenburlingame1172]

A little back about Merle. In his younger years he spent sometime in prison. This song is about the man who helped Merle. He taught him things would help him in prison. Merle's son Neol was named after this guy's brother. Merle passed on his 79th birthday. He actually told his youngest son Ben that he was going to pass on his birthday. Other songs by Merle. Mama tried. Today I started loving you again. Foot lights and long black limousine. Merle could also imitate other singers. Merle was a all around entertainer. When I heard he passed I literally sat and cried

[@alicecrenshaw6614]

OMG. Kicking out the foot lights. Not very many young people even know what that mean.

[@nonrepublicrat]

you must be joking.

[@warrenburlingame1172]

@@nonrepublicrat No I'm not kidding

[@oldermusiclover]

Neol was also named that because he was conceived during the holidays

[@chris92660]

Merle is about as classic country as you can get.

[@suzannekosic4088]

Hag-eerd. You saw an old Merle Hagard. Please listen to his 1970’sound. His song is when he was younger are so very awesome. He’s great now but you need a see him when he first started singing.

[@matthewlee6168]

Love The Hag! Your next song from Merle should be 'Mama Tried', 'The Lonesome Fugitive', or 'Swingin' Doors'.

[@Sandra-mo8pd]

Swingin Doors is one of my favorites. Glad you mentioned it I haven't heard that one in a long time 😀 😅 🙂 😄

[@KittCrescendo]

Merle truly was a contradiction in the coolest ways. He was a proud, strong man as he exhibited in Okie From Muskogee (awesome song), and then there’s his awesome sense of fun and humor (see It’s All Going to Pot duet with Willie Nelson). He was definitely a huge part of defining outlaw country and his voice is missed.

[@timwicke2836]

Merle was part of what was called the outlaw movement in the 60's and 70's. He had a rough past but his gift of music saved him. He brought joy to so many

[@leannmiller7153]

I’ll add another request to the songs listed in the comments below. If We Make It Through December❤️

[@hookstomper7322]

Merle is one of the very greatest of all time. Get around to "Mama Tried", "Working Man Blues" & "If We Make It Through December". There are a ton of true classics from him.

[@crusadeelectronics2444]

"Fightin side of me" would be a great second choice.

[@gloria46131]

Oh you can’t go wrong with merl haggard one of the legends, Loved the reaction Thank you so much ☝️

[@757optim]

The Hag has a gazillion hits. RIP Merle.

[@TexasMagnolia]

LEGENDARY! Merle is a must “keep going”. Highly recommend his live performance of: Just sit here and drink

[@beegee1960]

Country music has had a tradition of having an instrumental interlude at some point during the song. It gave listeners an opportunity to hear the musicians play.

[@shellyjackson3887]

Merle and I have been drunk together several times. Granted, he was on stage and I was in the audience. LOL! Seriously, I was blessed enough to attend several of his concerts over the years. Always had a great time. I still have two t--shirts from a couple of them. Traditional country and an amazing voice!! Great reaction. I am going to watch your reaction of Silver Wings next, one of my all time favorite songs by Merle!

[@IanRob2011]

Merle was in San Quentin. His cell was just below the guys who were going to the gas chamber. He has a wonderful voice, great song writer and played guitar and fiddle fantastically.I saw him around 1980 and again about ten years ago. He had already lost part of a lung to Cancer. Still fantastic performer.

[@robinmcpherson7981]

He's one of the Greatest Country Music artists of all time.

[@wheelmanstan]

Merle had that Willie Nelson level talent. He could play, write, sing really well. Total package. A national treasure. Highly respected. The gold standard of the genre. A forefather of country music. Merle was incarcerated a lot during his youth, grew up in the depression era. I heard he'd drive up to the gate of the prison trying to get back in because it was so hard for him on the outside of those bars. One of his friends got on death row. He got into singing because of Johnny Cash performing at his prison.

[@barbaracampbell9907]

He was beautiful a true artist who knew about real life

[@tommywood343]

Merle is one of my favorite singer's. Merle Haggard poet of the common man. R.I.P Hag

[@markm.769]

Take a listen to Merle singing "Silver Wings". This is a flawless song.

[@jackcrel7111]

You have to love how the old country knew how to invoke emotion to make you feel.

[@gaboratwood970]

And that is the great Merle Haggard!!

[@oldermusiclover]

this song always makes me teary eyed. when I hear or sing an old hymn in church it Sings Me Back HOme

[@TwistedSither]

One of my favorite songs from the Hagg.

[@michaelsmith5021]

Merle is The Legit Country Outlaw! 60 albums in his career. Countless awards. Been a fan since a kid. So many songs! RIP MERLE!

[@gloriaandrea2539]

This is awesome!! Love it!! Thank you Mr. British!❤️

[@caseyb4425]

This song was released the year I was born, 1967, and I heard my father sing it all of my life. Every Merle song, every Vern Gosdin song, Johnny Rodriguez, and many others, brings my dad alive for a few minutes. As each song plays I hear my dad's voice in my heart and soul. Bittersweet, Always.

[@darkomtobia]

Haggard is a binge-worthy artist. (Hag-erd) "The Way I Am" "Mama Tried" Look for his videos doing impersonations of other big artists, he's AWESOME at impersonations. Merle and Tom T Hall are 2 of the greatest country icons ever, imo.

[@jerricocke987]

Most people call him Merle or the hag his name is pronounced hag gerd. And perhaps not as serious or deep as the other songs that were mentioned in the prior comments I strongly recommend Okie from Muskogee it says a lot about the man's pride.

[@MrChris-zb2bs]

The best live version of this song the one from the tv show Austin City Limits when Merle was in his prime. The original studio version is great as well.

[@rileyribble6733]

Merle is one of the all time greats! Really hope to see you react to “Mama Tried” by Merle at some point, a truly beautiful song. I’m also hoping that at some point here soon, a Randy Travis reaction is in the works! Randy is amazing, and he’s got an excellent list of songs to pick from. Forever and Ever Amen, Three Wooden Crosses, Deeper than the Holler, Diggin up Bones to name a few. Really loving this journey with you!

[@normacraig7894]

He's great isn't he? What a voice!

[@quicksimplebeauty]

Lawdy, this song makes me homesick ❤️ grew up listening to my daddy playing Merle, Charley Pride, Marty Robbins and the Statler Brothers. And Glen Campbell. This song always provokes a tear or two

[@vickiehurd3446]

Merle Haggard was one of the best! He was in prison as well and sing songs about it that is so heartbreaking. You should try one of his great songs “mama tried” it’ll break your heart

[@none-zl4ju]

Merle was well known for his guitar abilities and his voice. I watched an interview he was asked "what's the hardest part of your job?" His reply was " To make it look easy. People didn't come to see me making faces and looking silly. They came to hear music." When you paused it and talked about how effortlessly it looked I thought wow!!!! I'm paraphrasing the interview but I think I'm close. The interviewer was Ralph Emery. A legendary part of country music in his own right as a D.J. / host.

[@susaniserhoff9361]

I saw him in concert a couple of times and he was phenomenal, just loved his voice, may he R.I.P.

[@danwilliams9299]

If i say it began when i was 10 yrs old,ive bn lovin country music,and -the hag-for 56 yrs now. And this is an example of why! Doesnt get btr to me . This could go on all day.. hearing his songs and his voice that is. And,yes,even at this ltr stage in his life, his voice was still BEAUTIFUL. And pure country. ,dan,northern florida, usa-2/09/22

[@kylesummers1565]

RIP Merle! Peace, Love!!

[@katherineskaggs6739]

I love his impersonations of other artists , especially of Marty Robbins when he was younger. Look for Devil Woman. Also look for “ Are the good times really over?” The version with Merle in a white shirt and hat. It’s awesome!

[@no1treman]

BROTHER THERE IS NOT A BAD PLACE TO START WITH THE HERO OF THE WORKING MAN. I would tell you the best thing you could do would be watch him off your site time for your own entertainment and wisdom. One of the true icons of traditional country music. YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY. Also , watch his biography (Better yet, watch his receiving the Kennedy Center Award here on youtube. The greatest 10 minute honoring of a man well deserving of it.) He was locked up a bunch of times by his late teens. He broke out many times. The last time was in San Quentin Prison. They kept him in solitary because he had broken out of the other places. ENJOY. I joined your site when I saw your reaction to Alan Jackson's Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning, You've got heart brother. You need to move to Texas. Yeah!

[@slick777go]

And in San Quentin is where he saw Johnny Cash on stage singing. Merle was in prison, sometime after that Ronald Reagan pardoned him . He blessed us with music and poetry !!

[@leaving1742]

I’ve been listening to him for many years 😊

[@pattyyoung2103]

A beautiful sad song! Thank you

[@leesasmith1666]

You need to hear the original recording when his voice was younger. It is fantastic.

[@mamaflush9945]

Every time I listen to this song... it never fails to cause tears to stream down my face. Such Melancholy washes over me. Thank you for this one. Another great song to checkout "Merle Haggard - sings "Mama Tried" to his Mama"

[@timothywilliams2252]

Being a California country-boy, I was raised on Merle and Buck. Great reaction... Loved it!..

[@leeanne7169]

Merle and Willie - best friends for years and years.

[@Alan-dx1ys]

Mel is a legend

[@donfleming9886]

And there you have the reason The Hag is a legend. Kind of you to mention "his more experienced years" to note that he may have lost a little as he aged. He did, as we all do. In his prime, he had no peers. The voice control and quality were unbelievable. If you would like to see him pour his entire soul into a song check out his Austin City Limits version of Long Black Limousine/Precious Memories. Or, Farmers Daughter. Or or or or. Too many to mention here. It won't take many for you to add him to your daily playlists.

[@peggylamere2893]

You can't go wrong with anything from Don Williams.

[@lilolmecj]

In old school Country there was so much attention to the melody line, in addition to building interesting layers with the steel guitar, harmonica, and violin, or fiddle. I have not found the harmonica to be easy , but my Papa Bear, Father, who had no formal training in music of any kind played it beautifully. I remember as a little girl begging him to play. He has gone now, and I miss him terribly.

[@leeanne7169]

I can't imagine any version better than this. The harmonica player is Mickey Raphael who has played with Willie Nelson for 45 years or so. You need to react to Willie sometime soon! I am just LOVING your journey into Country Music!!!

[@taylorfamilyreactions]

Thank you so much 😊

[@dandillinger23]

The Goat 🐐

[@jeffmurray1775]

I’m a proud citizen from Merle town

[@patwelch8187]

Very old here...Merle was a bad boy. Attempted robbery, bad checks, and more..He was a real-life prisoner, San Quentin prison I think. ... He was incarcerated there when Johnny Cash performed at the prison.. Changed Merle's life, to become a performer ..!! Okie From Muskogee was his breakout song, released in 1969..good song

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Merle is one of the old true blue talents, if you check out some of his younger songs, you'll find that his smooth didn't change much with age.

[@hanschitzlinger3676]

I play 10+ instruments, harmonica is the easiest. I learned that nursery rhymes and old folk songs are usually pretty easy to start with *React to Cord Lund - talkin veterinarian blues*

[@PrivatePyle9999]

Merle Haggard - The best there ever was. Oh, and that's Micky Rapheal on the harmonica...he's played with EVERYBODY.

[@sandramurdico1781]

The harmonica player is great because he played for Merle for about 45 years.

[@raychernecki875]

Highwayman- by the highway men is awesome some of the greatest country male singers ever

[@davidpinion73]

That is it......

[@browniewin4121]

Merle is great and known for being one of those with 'the Bakersfield' sound. If you want more harmonica I recommend the recordings of the wonderful blues singer/guitar player John Cephas with Phil Wiggins.

[@jennifursun3303]

Taylor this song was written about a real life story and have told our church worship lead that sometimes certain songs sing me back home too

[@donr9861]

The ' hags' cover of ' That's the way love goes ' is an excellent song

[@huckcrash7839]

Great version even if he did mix up the lyrics😁 go back and find some younger Merle .... Lonesome Fugitive, Always Wanting You, Today I Started Loving You Again.....

[@mt3311]

Some of his early music was steeped in the struggles of the people from Oklahoma who migrated west because of the Depression in the 1930's. Hungry Eyes, Tulare Dust, One Row at a Time, and California Cottonfields. Those are songs of a forgotten peoples, from a forgotten time. A time that reared its ugly head the last two years, but on a lesser scale. We must not forget them, lest we end up like them.

[@no1treman]

I saw that you had viewed Blake Shelton " Ole Red" . Here is one of his older songs (I think it was one of the ones that brought him really on the big stages) "Some Beach" the official video version. Quality country music and make you laugh out loud too.

[@filthymcnasty4u284]

Him singing misery and Gin

[@BOOMNERD51]

Great reaction!

[@dalemott6559]

"Branded Man" is another great one :)

[@joelrubinson9973]

that harmonica player appears to be MIckey raphael. One of the best in the business from any genre. He was Willie Nelson's harp player since Red Headed stranger and now tours and records with Chris Stapleton

[@janicesimmons5272]

The harmonica player is with Willie Nelson’s band, also did some time with Chris Stapleton -

[@marcialivingston-nq8xk]

Put this on replay at my dads funeral.

[@Donnagilbert6497]

Such a powerful reaction to his voice. It moves me as well. I rather enjoy his voice as he aged. He was an impressive songwriter. Most were from his own life. “Kern River,” “Misery and Gin” “Today I Started Loving You Again.” There are so many! The harmonica player is Mickie Raphael, who is actually in Willie Nelson’s band. Merle must have borrowed him! I’m hooked on your reactions now!

[@jeremyfagner6808]

Some other songs from Merle to check out is That’s the Way Love Goes and Cherokee Maiden.

[@carlday3538]

Merle saw Johnny Cash in concert at San Quentin while Merle was an inmate there .. he saw him and said I could do that and the rest is history he and Johnny became friends ..

[@jeanettesmith765]

React to more Merle's music please - preferably in his younger days, even though he never really lost his voice in old age.

[@markalumbaugh2756]

HAG rhymes with Bag. Check out "Today I Started Loving You Again." Many more Hits. Merle was a convict in Folsom Prison When Johnny Cash did a concert for the prisoners. Merle became inspired

[@Kell-hee-hee-hee]

I'm gonna drive you crazy! I'm sure George Jones has been mentioned..."He Stopped Loving Her Today," "I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair" and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" are good songs. I'm not familiar with much more than those, but they are worthy. Also, Clint Black's "Killin' Time" is a really good song. Sorry!!

[@oldermusiclover]

got to see Merle many years ago. He wrote this about a man he was in prison with. I had a friend who sang and played guitar and I lost him in a tanker truck explosion and this song always reminds of Chris. sadly you will hear him mix up some of the lyrics but If I was his age I would not remember any of them

[@humpy936]

You picked a great place to start, I actually prefer this version even though he’s much older than the original studio version.

[@pklbndt11]

A must check out is The Outlaws. Willie, Waylon, Merle "the Hag" and Kris Kristofferson. They are incredible together. Ghost Riders in the Sky is a great one to hear.

[@patst1944]

Brooks and Dunn doing “Believe” is a great song and video

[@mrbeaverstate]

He did do this song 40 years before.....

[@bwilliams463]

Unfortunately, you're listening to an incomplete live version, where Merle rearranged some words and cut out a verse. Make sure you eventually listen to a studio version to get the whole experience.

[@janedc5ch319]

I think he sounded better when he was younger.. But he sounds great.. I remember when he first came became popular many years ago. I guess I must be getting old. He was one of the good ones

[@TheLordHighXcutioner]

React to Workin' Man Blues by Merle Haggard.

[@bradclark1274]

The harmonica player is from Willie Nelson’s band

[@danmcdonagh8924]

That's when songs had some meaning in stories. I know not all were interesting to some but there were many good ones. They were not doctored up in studios.

[@julietate7806]

If you think his voice was good then, I suggest you listen to his "Branded Man" album, especially "Loneliness is Eating Me Alive." His voice wasn't twangy like a lot of country artists. His family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl. His father worked on the railroad and died when Merle was only 9 years old. He is known as the "Poet of the Common Man," and he was. I saw him many times in concert, and he always had the best musicians playing along. I cried like a baby when he died because I'd loved him since I was 3 years old. I met Bonnie Owens in the 1990s and I told her I was always so jealous of her having been married to Merle. She said, "Honey, being married to Merle was no bed of roses, but I'll tell him what you said."

[@rockwalls6837]

I have enjoyed watching many of your reaction videos. One sub-genre of Country that you need to explore is Texas Swing. Check out Asleep at the Wheel singing Miles and Miles of Texas. Check out some old Bob Wills music. Listen to Waylon Jennings sing Bob Wills is still the King.

[@StormyH871]

Mama tried ...was my Grandmother's favorite

[@anitaburgess6821]

Merel's best day's were in the 70's

[@crankyyankee7290]

If you see this one, for fun you might listen to this song done by someone else(who was a fan of Merle) he might surprise you,and he is one of your countrymen to boot, on this one he plays the piano rather than his usual guitar, kind of a little known artist you might have heard of somewhere along the way-his name?-Keith Richards !

[@rebeccawyse5562]

I love him and willie together singing...what's the name of ...traveling johnny cash...together...forgive me if I'm wrong guys...thnx

[@sharonpate5481]

I think you would enjoy a Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash video of “There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang” Merle-“Mama Tried” “Okie From Muskogee” Kris Kristopherson -“Why Me” “Jesus Was A Capricorn” David Allen Coe - “The Ride” “You Never Even Call Me By Name “ It’s the perfect country and western song 😊 Tom Jones - “ Green Green Grass of Home” ☮️🌼♥️🇺🇸

[@janicesimmons5272]

Harmonica player is Mickey Raphael!

[@BelleDede01]

Merle Haggard was in prison at a very young age (apparently 11 years old, the first time) and was in prison at San Quinton when Johnny Cash went there to do his recorded concert. He was able to talk with Johnny and Johnny told him to be honest about his past and not to hide it and listened to him sing, and Johnny told him, that he could become a real good singer and change his life, which he did. He never did hide his past and recorded great songs. One I really like that does explain his life was the song Mama Tried. This is a live performance where he sings that song to his Mama, who is in the audience. It was written for her too. I hope you react to it. One of my favorites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpDRiaRrg7eceqM BTW, each American President has the authority to pardon someone that has a criminal or any other kind of record, if they've done time in prison. For Merle, it was President Ronald Reagan who pardoned him. Here Merle is giving a concert and President and Mrs. Reagan arrive to attend that concert. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2fGiKGQgN95aLs

[@BelleDede01]

BTW, Merle is not only a great singer, but he can do impersonations too. He can impersonate Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Hank Snow and Marty Robbins (and others). kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmW5ZIZtoKyBoLs Here's Merle impersonating Marty Robbins in front of Marty and he can't believe it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5zddX98g9KYrM0

[@sonnycathey5091]

Willie Nelson’s Hormonica player.

[@mt3311]

This song is a about a death row inmate going to the death chamber. He was on Death Row, not on a death sentence, but because of punishment. The "hole" for San Quentin was on Death Row. He wrote this song when he was young. He was 20 years old when he went t the pen. He had a chance to escape with, the other escapee told him that if he went with him, that he was going to "hold court on the street." His name was Jimmy "rabbitt" Kendrick. Kendrick came back to San Quentin on a Death Sentence. when Kendrick came back into the prison, they brought him back through the yard. As was the custom to show the other inmates the escapee didn't get far. They walked Kendrick through the yard, the guards were one in front and one in back. They usually walked side by side,. They walk in front of, and in back of condemned inmates. All the inmates knew. merle decided not to go with Kendrick. He robbed a super market in Victorville, shot a Highway Patrol officer and killed him. This song was for Kendrick.

[@TheBAMARAMMERJAMMER]

All Merle is good. TRy Waylon Jennings Marty Robins, Vern Gosden Willy Nelson, oh cant forget George Jones .