Country singers today will never match this man

Bonnie owens is a huge part of why this song is soo good.

The main difference between Merle Haggard and everyone else is that Merle Haggard is the greatest country singing star that ever was. For all time. That's all there is to it.

Best country ARTIST of all time in my opinion.

America is an exceptional nation ...here is proof 🎅

Merle Haggard was the Real Deal!!!!! He had 41 Number 1 hits!!! That's amazing in anyone's book!

any man who has done time can relate to this song and only merle can sing it with conviction

None can compare today!!! Merle was the BEST!!

Still listening to this in 2021 brilliant bring back the real music

country & western music , not to be confused with pop country music , thanks for all the great songs RIP merle

No-one will ever be able to fill his boots~

He is such a talented songwriter. Anyone cannot just write a song, you have to live it, and Merle sings & writes from experience. A legend in our time. He was pardoned by Ronald Reagan, then Gov of CA.

You were the KING 😢😢🎶❤️

I don't remember a single song of Merle's that I did not like!

People are sad that Merle and so many country stars have passed but I say we are the lucky ones who can listen to these legends.

It occurred to me how come he sounds so good: he's the greatest country singing star that ever was. That's all there is to it. That's simply all there is to it. The Strangers are brilliant, of course, too.

Ladies and gentlemen this is the definition of a Natural, God given talent to its core

I play his songs every time I pick up my guitar, and this new generation never heard these songs and then I explain who MERLE HAGGARD is and move on to CONWAY TWITTY and MARTY ROBBINS, CANT BELIEVE I'VE BEEN SINGING MOST OF THESE SONGS FOR 40 YEARS?

Merle is the Best singer of country songs to ever come down the Pike. R.I.P. Hag.

There is no one better

The very best country musician that has ever been!!!!

One of the Best Country singers and song writers ever in my time!! Miss him! RIP Merle.......

Music has lost a truly great man today. Merle was the total package, he was a singer, a songwriter and a brilliant instrumentalist. He would never let the music executives push him around. And as a result His music was always great. They don't make men like Merle Haggard anymore. This is a devastating loss for his family friends and his fans. RIP Merle

Merle en 1968 bonnie and you are unforgettables artistes all performances possibles of countrymusic and so beautifull couple ❤❤❤ 🤠🤠🤠🎸🎸🎸🌈🌈🌈🌈❤️❤️❤️ RIP two genius with my heartache forever 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 😢😢😢 thoughts respectueuses sincerely admirative to your familys ❤❤❤ I love you in the eternity ❤❤❤ (2024/02/05) a d my dear theresa all my admiration and immense respect ❤

The Hagg is my man. The best of all the rest.

When I was a kid, my dad had this Merle Haggard record. To this day I remember sitting there and listening to that strong honest beautiful voice singing lyrics that were so real and heartfelt. I will remember this song until I die. In real life Merle had a prison record, so these lyrics are not just the fake twangy country lyrics of today. They meant something, and listening to him he made you feel it deep inside your soul. RIP Merle, thank you for your songs. You are no longer a branded man, and may God's warmth bring you out of the cold.

he was so handsome

You never forget your number or standing up for 4 o'clock count or getting in every line you see

When Country music was real. When it was ACTUALLY music! My favorite country artist ever, thanks to my Dad for playing it when I was growing up. Thanks Merle for the wonderful stories and MUSIC!

I've been to the Preston School of Industry and San Quentin State Prison where you served time, Merle. I've seen those ugly bars and those punishing walls. They could not hold your talent, and your talent set you free. By knowing this, your music is all the sweeter to my ears. Thank you for your extraordinary artistry, rest in peace dear brother!

I have loved Merle since I was a kid! He is so missed, but his sons have his voice!

this is my life.when i was in prison,i would listen to these songs and it helped me thru

One of the top five country artists great singer good song

This is one MAN who took no BS from anyone. He lived his songs...RIP Mr. Haggard

What a poet!

Thank you Merle for making life a little easier with your songs. YOU ARE THE BEST.

Man, I can really hear the Bakersfield influence here in the cadence. The strangers were super crisp in this performance. What a machine.

REAL Country!!!!

there will never be be no body who can even come near the vocals that man had one hell of a singer.one of the best.

When I think of Merle Haggard, one word comes to mind: REAL. Just real. Real goodlooking, real talent, and just for REAL!!! No one comes close. Love you always Merle. Rest easy..............

Merle is just so incredibly Real! People singing today just don’t understand what being Real is!

Wonderful best ever country singer.

Real country music with no bullshit'!!!!

I listen to Merle everyday

I suppose I'm a very sappy person but when I listen to Merle sing I just cry like a baby. What an amazing singer / Songwriter. I'll Merle. RIP Mr. Haggard 😢 I will always miss you

Merle Haggard was a real singer he could bring it May GOD rest is soul

He knew how to sing right in the mask with great resonance and timing. As good as the great tenor opera stars but adapted for country

He is so good and I love his songs. Back in the day, he was really good looking as well, or I think so. Love you Merle ~ Country isn't country like it was back in the day.

I m a branded man myself. The rcmp always have a watch on me but I have a good life now and a baby daughter

I am 66 and growing up with him being so big all the time the truth is---we actually became numb to it and did not realize how good he was and that we were watching history take place.. Now you look back and go wow no wonder he was so big.

These lyrics hold so much truth. Once in prison you're branded for life and that's pretty sad for those trying to go straight. They paid their dept to society and the playing field should be even with the house but it isn't not by a long shot.

The greatest-Hag~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That vocal,the tone , and the clean, clear notes he holds.one of a kind pipes.We all miss the Hag.R.I.P.

My farmer dads favorite. Mine too. Played fighting side of me at my marine corps dad's funeral. My dad was buried with his cowboy boots and listening to Merle haggard

I love Merle's songs.... You sing out out your heart and soul and you will remain as the greatest country music legend! RIP!

Merle you are missed by us country fans. R.I.P

That bass guitar really adds to it.

The songs of the bakersfield sound.I grew up with him and the beach boys.now california has lost a son,she cries.r.i.p. the hag!!!

wow grew up listening to country music, my mom was a country gal, once we got some land she raised a cow named 'Betsy ' her pet she raised from little.

What a voice!

I had Normans Fender Pedal steel .. the one in this clip... Got from a friend that got it from Tigar Bell many years back.. tigar was a child prodigy and played in merls band when he was like 6 nice to see it again thanks for the post

My Dad's favorite! I used to play all of Merle's records on Dad's record player and then sit outside on bavk porch and sing with my Dad!

Merle is the king.

Merle was my Dad's favorite! Grew up with his albums! I changed the records and sat on back porch singing with my Dad! Miss him so very much! But he left me many memories!

Merle did something differently. The Haggard camp knew they were on to something when "Okie from Muskogee" and "The Fightin' Side of Me" came out. Everywhere they went, every show, "Okie" did more than prompt enthusiastic applause. There was an unanticipated adulation racing through the crowds now, standing ovations that went on and on and sometimes left the audience and the band members alike teary-eyed. Merle had somehow stumbled upon a song that expressed previously deep fears, spoke out loud, gripes and anxieties otherwise only whispered, and now people were using his song, were using "him," to connect themselves to these larger concerns and to one another. He connected with the silent majority in society, the man trying to be a good Dad, a good worker, a good husband, a loyal American. However, they all knew some things were wrong in our country and our politicians were not taking care of the issues as they should have. He spoke for us all, to us all. He was, and shall be a part of the average American, doing his best and trying to make it in a world that is not always fair. This was 1969, a difficult time in American history. I was a young 10 year old kid then and was watching it all happen. I definitely connected with Merle's music and I was hooked. I always will be. Pray for our nation people. It is headed in the wrong direction.

Handsome an very talented man.

Music like this is what shows the meaning of a good man who just made a mistake in life , and went on to be loved by millions for his music and forgotten about his past...Not all men and women who have served time are bad people WE are just the onea who got caught or the ones that didnt have a grip on life at the time..As for me, ive learned that ive done wrong in my life and im not happy about my past, if i can change it i would, but i cant so i live the life as a branded man in this song and still living a normal life..going to work everyday giving myself a new branded term.......A WORKING MAN FOR HIS FAMILY....

He was such a handsome guy too. R.I.P. Mr. Merle Haggard...

A country sound by one of the nice gentlemen of country, life dealt him a few rough years but it didn't harden him !!!

This is a perfect live performance! Good lord, Merle and the Strangers were untouchable

I love this song.

HE IS THE BEST

His voice is so good back then.

I grew up listening to music, And Merle is and always will be a great musician

Merle Haggard fan !!! love all his songs. He's one of a kind.

Einfach gut 😌!

I come here every weekend

MERLE,HANK,WAYLON, GEORGE, JOHNNY, CONWAY ETC. ETC. ARE ALL UP THERE SINGING WITH THE ANGELS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN TILL WE ALL GET TO SEE THEM AGAIN AND HEAR THEM SING 😇🌹😎✌🤟💖

R.I.P.

Awesome Song this is my favorite video of the Hag i wish i could have seen him in concert❤

Best of the best. RIP MERLE HAGGARD

Arohanui Merle Hagard. Rest in Peace.

Love this song.

One of the very best. He was a gift for your ears. The words the music were perfection. It took you their.⭐🇺🇸

he was real, pure country music with a remarkable talent and personality

My best favorit.

True Country music. One of a kind.

Merle you will always live on in our hearts!

Love this song, remember when I first came out, reminds me of a simpler time, RIP Merle Haggard , thinking about you Charles Ray

i will miss you merle i grew up with you

good call Jim

Branded my favorite

now this is true country music

My favorite country singer!

What an inspiration artist to others!

I love Merle Harrard!

He was the best and didn't even try

Pure solid gold country music performed by the one others followed vocally but there’s only one “Hag”. Thanks for sharing this!

Still got a live album of his I bought c.1972 when I was 15 a long long time ago. His songs were real about real events, real stories. Still amazing to this day.

Keep them letters nd cards coming 😮 today Facebook and Twitter handles........funny how the world changes but the good music don't...❤ branded man.