23 Merle Haggard Quotes To Tip Your Hat To

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Merle Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was a renowned American country music songwriter, singer, guitarist, and even a legendary fiddler. Haggard by no means had an easy upbringing, and he was born right at the end of the Great Depression. He was in and out of jail numerous times throughout his childhood, and thankfully, eventually after a stint in San Quentin State Prison back in 1960 he was able to shift the tides of his troubled life and build the unforgettable country music career that we recognize today. We’ll take a look at some of the wisest words that Merle Haggard left us with.

1. On the purpose of music

A man dressed in a black suit and hat, with a serious expression, is standing beside a brown horse with a saddle. He appears to be adjusting his suit as he holds a large cowboy hat in his hand. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting.

“We need to have music that contributes to the well-being of the spirit. Music that cradles people’s lives and makes things a little easier. That’s what I try to do, and what I want to do. You don’t want to close the door on hope.”

2. On freedom

A bearded man wearing a black top hat and suit stands against a soft, dusky sky. His expression is contemplative, and the warm lighting highlights his features and the texture of his curly hair.

“In 1960, when I came out of prison as an ex-convict, I had more freedom under parolee supervision than there’s available in America right now.”

3. On the perfect melody

A man with a beard and mustache is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a light-colored shirt. He is singing into a microphone, with a focused and emotional expression on his face. The background is dark, emphasizing the subject's face and hat.

“The only thing that I miss lately in all music is somebody that will put out a melody that you can whistle. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything happening like that.”

4. On the different periods of broadcasts

A man wearing a large light-colored hat and a light-blue shirt is singing into a microphone on a stage. He is holding a beige electric guitar. The background is dark with blurry lights, suggesting a nighttime performance.

“There’s been periods of broadcasts in the past where you could see all ages of entertainers, ranging from George Burns to Shirley Temple. That’s not the condition now.”

5. On a script for his life

A man in a white hat and white shirt is playing an electric guitar on stage. He is singing into a microphone. Behind him are other musicians, including one playing a violin. The background is dark with twinkling lights.

“There’s a rumor that there may be an attempt at organizing a possible script for a series on my life, which, when you look at my police record, you’d have to have more than one hour to tell the story.”

6. On aging and bread

A man, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a white shirt with a guitar strap over his shoulder, is smiling as he stands in front of a microphone on stage. Another man in the background is slightly blurred and dressed in similar attire.

“At my age, I don’t buy but half a loaf of bread, you know?”

7. On foot surgeries

A man with a beard and mustache is performing on stage. He is wearing a light-colored hat and a light blue shirt, and he appears to be singing into a microphone. The background is dimly lit with colorful lights, creating a bokeh effect.

“They shaved a little piece of bone off my small toe. You see, you balance yourself a certain way and this toe had grown under the other ones. So he cut it loose, where I could balance myself and it makes me walk straight.”

8. On truth and music

A man with a beard is wearing a cream-colored hat and holding a microphone close to his mouth while looking slightly to the side. The background is dark, suggesting a performance setting.

“It’s easier to force-feed people than it is to give ’em what they want. It makes more money.”

9. On the origins of music about hard times

An older man wearing a black hat and sunglasses plays an electric guitar and sings into a microphone on stage. Another man wearing a white cowboy hat stands behind him in the background, also facing a microphone. The setting appears to be a concert or performance.

“When you get to readin’ about where the music and John Steinbeck and all those people like that come from, the further you go the more interesting it becomes.”

10. On getting close to the answers

An older man wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, and a black shirt is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone on stage. Two other musicians are partially visible in the background.

“By the time you get close to the answers, it’s nearly all over.”

11. On speaking up when it counts

An older man with light hair and a mustache is wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, and a goatee. He is singing into a microphone against a dark background.

“Lay in the weeds and wait, and when you get your chance to say something, say something good.”

12. On honesty

A man with a beard, wearing a black hat and dark sunglasses, is singing into a microphone. The background is dimly lit and another indistinct person is visible behind him.

“I’ll tell you what the public likes more than anything, it’s the most rare commodity in the world – honesty.”

13. On divorce

An older man with a gray beard and mustache is performing on stage. He is wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, and a black outfit. A microphone is visible in front of him as he appears to be singing or speaking.

“Willie Nelson’s the one who told me the reason it costs so much to get divorced is because it’s worth it.”

14. On politics

A man with short dark hair singing into a microphone on stage. The background features colorful, blurred shapes. He has a focused and serious expression on his face.

“Keep your opinions to yourself. I think it’s important that I stay neutral on politics and remain hard to understand. I don’t want to be pigeonholed as conservative, liberal, independent or anything. I back the man for the things the man believes in, not whether it says “R” or “D” down there beside his name.”

15. On loving it or leaving it

A person with dark hair sings into a microphone. The background is colorful with green, red, blue, orange, and yellow vertical shapes. The person wears a light-colored shirt or jacket and has an expressive facial expression while performing.

“Running down on a way of life our fighting men have fought and died to keep. If you don’t love it, leave it.”

16. On feeling your songs through and through

A man stands on stage, dressed in a light green jacket and white shirt, playing an acoustic guitar. Behind him is a prop horse, and the background displays vertical panels in white, blue, and yellow. He is singing into a microphone.

“To be part of what you’re singing about is somewhat painful. You’ve got to climb inside it all.”

17. On a house vs. a home

A man is performing on a stage, playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone. He is wearing a dark shirt. The background shows other musicians playing instruments and an audience watching the performance. The lighting is dim, giving a warm ambiance.

“A house without love ain’t a home.”

18. On fun times and money times

A person is singing into a microphone while playing a guitar on stage. The person is seen in a side profile with an audience in the background. Another musician, partially visible, is playing a guitar in the foreground.

“If I had a choice, and there was a “Y” in the road, I would always take the one that was more fun as opposed to the one that might make me more money.”

19. On heartbreak

A man is playing an electric guitar on stage. He is wearing a dark shirt and has a silver strap for his guitar. A microphone is positioned in front of him, and another person with a string instrument is visible in the background. The background is dark.

“Staring at the world through the bottom of a glass, all I see is a man who’s fading fast.”

20. On welfare

Person in a straw hat, sunglasses, and bandana around neck, playing guitar and singing into a microphone on stage. An out-of-focus drummer is visible in the background.

“Hey, hey, the working man, the working man like me. I ain’t never been on welfare, that’s one place I won’t be.”

21. On the real stars

A person wearing a cowboy hat and glasses sings into a microphone. They have a beard and are dressed in a dark outfit with a light-colored scarf. The background is a gradient of dark blue to black.

“There’s just a few people that call themselves stars can actually sit down with a guitar and sing you a song.”

22. On smelling good

A musician wearing a cowboy hat and a leather jacket performs on stage. He holds an electric guitar with a strap bearing the name "Merle." In the background, a saxophonist and other band members are visible, along with stage lights and equipment.

“There’s one thing I never did do, and that was stink.”

23. On losing control

A person wearing a light grey cowboy hat and a black leather jacket is speaking or singing into a microphone. The background is dark with blurred lights.

“The turn I made was not the one I planned. And I watched my social standing slip away from me, while I watched the bottle slowly take command.”

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