This is actually Blaze Foley's song, but Merle made it famous. Joe N. is one of those few country singers, as well as Merle, that can make you feel the words. Thanks for sharing this video!

Joe was born to sing these songs. Takes your breath away.

I don't listen to much country music and have never heard this singer, but John Prine said some good things about the songwriter, Blaze Foley, and this song, so here I am, listening to this. The very first syllable he sang got me right in the gut with its beauty and resonance. A voice like that is a gift from God, Joe Nichols -- use it well and may the world hear you.

Nice heartfelt version of this beautifully written Blaze Foley song.

My absolute favorite of Joe Nicols. Could listen to this over and over. Awesome!!❤

You got to admit, a great voice. He's got talent as well as looks. Todays country isn't country, it's marketable crap. Joe can sing and he makes it soulful. Well done.

Those cool guitars and Joe makes Mr. Foley's song beautiful. Thank you Sir.

You don't need a full band to have a great song. this is really great and I love Joe's voice.

I sat here and just listened in silence, found myself crying like a child... absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

Joe Nichols is amazing singing this music. It is made for him . He is awesome. Love you Joe!

Merle covered this song, Blaze Foley wrote it. This is a great version.

Ladies and gentlemen this is pure talent. Take a good look at it. It's as rare as gold.

Wow he sang it with ease that Merle did. Would love to hear him sit in with the Haggard boys!

So much respect for Joe Nichols...thanks for paying homage to such a great song!!! How great it is to hear you sing it!

This song speaks to my heart. What an absolutely beautiful rendition Joe. Awesome.❤

Fabulous performance of a song I just discovered. Many covers, but Merle and Joe Nichols do the best. How did I miss this song all my life?

I listen to country all the time. Joe is one of the best. He has such a soft sweet voice.

this is a beautiful song, i can listen to it over and over again

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THAT PURE COUNTRY VOICE!!!!! AND HE AINT BAD ON THE EYES EITHER!!!!!!

WOW! ! ! That was beautiful. Joe has such talent and you can tell he feels the music which he sings. Thanks for posting.

This is the best cover of this song I've heard. I love the acoustic guitar work.

I sure can relate to what you said about your wife. My husband passed away in February this year. We listened to this song many times. God I miss him more everyday. Do the tears ever stop?? This is a very good cover. I think Hag would agree.

Awesome!! awesome!!awesom3 ; cover of this song!!

Well done. It is difficult to not listen to this song a few times. Thank you.

Nice job on the Blaze song by Joe, a very accomplished singer. Please notice the kaypo position on the two guitars. Those two fellows are playing this beautiful music cross-corded. Thats why it is so beautiful. Every time i listen brings tears. An absolutely beautiful rendition.

Merle would be so proud. Joe Nichols deserves every achievement he attains.

It’s sad that songs like this, with a simple arrangement, will never see the light of day on today’s country radio. The stuff I hear now I call “ bubble gum” country.

Joe , you have so much talent . Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us . ❤️

I love this young man. I'm sorry he died so young and fresh. He's wonderful.

rip Merle. find Blaze Foley. this song is filled with your hearts. Thank you Blaze for such a meaningful song. you passed too soon.

Always come back here. This remains one of the great vocal performances Ever !

If I Could Only Fly is the fiftieth studio album by American country singer Merle Haggard, released in 2000. The title song was written by Texas songwriter Blaze Foley. It reached number 26 on the Billboard Country albums chart.[1] Merle did a nice job - but, rest his soul, Blaze Foley wrote this beautiful song

Outstanding guitar.

Joe Nichols has one of, if not the best voice in country music today. Unfortunately most of his album cuts are produced to appeal to country radio and really don't do his talent justice

Joe Nichols voice is so beautiful. Have always loved listening to him.

The voice, the guitars, wonderful!

Brilliant Joè Thanks SAW YOU in NASHVILLE AND YOU WERE AMAZING ❤❤❤😂😂😂

One talent we will never see again in this life time bar none

Best ever rendition, in my opinion.

DARN...never realized this guy could sing like THIS!! It is amazing and awesome!!

Love this music. Firsts time listener

My God, amazing performance. It's like I had gone back in time and suddenly watching a presentation of Merle Haggard! Thanks the author of posting....

I think Joe is very underrated as a country singer.

This song gets to my heart!!!!

Best version I’ve ever heard

Our beloved Meryl really started something pretty special 💖

This is THE BEST version of this song I ever heard ... Joe and the boys are downright amazing !!! ( JC - Alberta ) .

Excellent version, really enjoyed

Good job Joe...Merle can hear u whenever u sing now....your voice lends itself to his songs so well. Love it!

This is the best version of a fabulous song. It has been covered by numerous artists but this is quite brilliant. Blaze will be smiling in his place of rest. Gerry Farry

My cousin sang this song at my mom's funeral this past June. It was absolutely beautiful.

Best version so far. Musicians are phenominal. Joe Nichols is one of my favoarites.

What a voice and such a handsome guy!!!

ONLY JOE can sing this as good as Merle

Just beautiful!! That's all I can say.thank you Joe no more lonely nights Blaze

Oh! that is soooooo goood! What a man, first tuned to this version 12 years ago and Joe really does it justice!

A beautiful voice with so much feeling he brings me to tears. Thank you joe. With love

Fantastic. Great, great voice and unbeatable guitar work.

A very nice version of the Blaze Foley song. Joe Nichols has Merle Haggard like timbre for sure. I never get tired of listening to this song no matter who is doing it. Willie Nelson does it great as well on Seashores of Old Mexico album.

He'sa wonderful Country singers and one of the best got the voice is so gorgeous to sing should be singing some more beautiful songs got the voice.hope he never give up singing.

Good Lord !!! That’s an amazing song and an amazing voice singing it and two amazing guitarists playing and the harmony is just right!!!! Blaze and Merle are both very proud of you guys !! What a simple but perfect performance!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

C'est la plus belle des chansons ,,merci

Yes, I know Blaze wrote this, but the fact is, I cried like a little girl thinking about my wife who passed away last November, and as long as the performer can evoke some emotion from you, they have succeeded in the songs light..

OMG! What a great rendition 💛

I liked Joe Nichols voice first time I heard him sing and this is a compliment to an old timer, the simple man's poet Merle Haggard. Thumbs up!

this song sends me to another planet...

can't get enough of this truly outstanding performance ..pure , man ..

Beautiful job! I was lucky enough to see him in an intimate little venue in Charlotte County Florida with a couple of other performers. Out of all the huge concerts I've attended in my (long) life, it was the best. He is special and they were hilarious together on that little stage. Also, very easy on the eyes!! 😁 Thank you Joe for a great and intimate concert under the stars!!

i was NOT exepecting to like this cover, im a huge merle haggard fan, he did a great job with this. stayed really true to how merle sings, good job makin me feel the lyrics almost like merle does.

Such a great voice. He is awesome !

Absolutely beautifull sung Joe Nicols!!

Joe is a great singer for these type songs.

My first time seeing this video..the repeat button is wore out!!

You did a great job! I was with Blaze when he was writing this song in his head. I am sure he would love the way you sing it

Best version ever, guitar players fantastic and Joe, what a great voice.

BEAUTIFUL - I'm sobbing!

I bid this goodbye to come and be with you ...what a classic well done. Love your version love you..

Joe my hat's off to you.Thank You for keeping it country

I hadn't heard Joe Nichols before now, but with this great version of a Merle song, I will make sure and hear him more often. Great guitars in this song also!

Love this man❤

probably the best version of the Blaze classic love the guitars.

A great rendition Joe, this is becoming on of my favorite Haggard songs.

Amazingly Beautiful..Thank you for this lovely share..MH has to be proud of Joe...

Lyric’s :I almost felt you touching me just now I wish I knew which way to turn and go I feel so good, and then then I feel so bad I wonder what I ought to do If I could only fly, if I could only fly I'd bid this place goodbye, to come and be with you But I can hardly stand, and I got no where to run Another sinking sun, and one more lonely night The wind keeps blowing somewhere everyday Tell me things get better, somewhere, up the way Just dismal thiking on a dismal day Sad songs for us to bare If I could only fly If we could only fly If we could only fly There'd be no more lonely nights You know sometimes I write happy songs Then some little thing goes wrong I wish they all could make you smile Coming home soon and I wanna stay Maybe we can somehow get away I wish you could come with me when I go again If I could only fly, if I could only fly I'd bid this place goodbye, to come and be with you But I can hardly stand, and I got no where to run Another sinking sun, and one more lonely night

This song is my FAVORITE song of Merle's that Joe does!!

Great job Joe love your singing 💕🇨🇦❤️ thanks for posting

Superb rendition with beautiful guitar pickin' .....thanks for sharing

blaze foley's song...this is a terrific rendition

Awesome job , such a beautiful song

You now honestly own this song even Merel can not compete with this dont care what anyone says !!!!!!!

keep up Joe,..you are better than the rest in voice and real country music.., i like your voice much,..let the real country sound alive.....

Great job need more of this in todays country

This is lovely but you have hear Blaze sing it...Breaks my heart a little bit every time as good country songs should... Greetings from Eire🇨🇮☺️

Love this song and Joe Nichols

One great talent for a young man and he can sing any song with such emotions!!!

What a great talent and has a great voice that comes with his personality second to none and keep his mind in it from start to finish Think how hard this is to do!!!!!!

Joe is one to fill big shoes I saw him in yuma ariz in 2005 and it was hot that night in yuma and very muggy now if you have been fishing in 119 degrees it's hot when he came here he couldn't hit his high notes because of the heat but he is one of the best singers I've ever heard among all the rest of them god bless joe Nichols

Songs and singers like This can make you cry. NEW Country makes me cry for a different Reason

A true natural God given talent. He can write as well as he sings. And he has the most powerful heart felt song's of any other artist no matter what the genre. Love him, his heart, his music.

Bravo amazing voice