Merle Haggard - Working Man Blues

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15 жыл бұрын

Working Man Blues - Merle Haggard
It's a big job just gettin' by with nine kids and a wife
I been a workin' man dang near all my life
I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I'll drink my beer in a tavern,
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
I keep my nose on the grindstone, I work hard every day
Might get a little tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
But I'll go back workin, come Monday morning I'm right back with the crew
I'll drink a little beer that evening,
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
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
Cause I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I drink a little beer that evening
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
Sometimes I think about leaving, do a little bummin around
I wanna throw my bills out the window catch a train to another town
But I go back working I gotta buy my kids a brand new pair of shoes
Yeah drink a little beer that evening,
Cry a little bit of these working man blues
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
Cause I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I drink a little beer that evening
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
Yeah drink a little beer that evening,
Cry a little bit of these working man blues

Пікірлер: 188

@yagamei 14 жыл бұрын

... He's got his cigarette between his fingers as he plays his solo? Thats as certified bakersfield badass as it gets, friends.

@monmixer 12 жыл бұрын

Merle is a great country artist and part of our American heritage. I have worked in the country music industry most of my life as an audio engineer. These guys were great and hard working musicians. They were not handed a silver spoon like most artist today. They learned the ropes on their own. Most learned to play on their own. Then the years and years of playing in smoke filled bars. Those were the good old days. Takes a toll on your body and your mind. especially if you have a family.

@vader6972 15 жыл бұрын

I used to dig him cuz of Mama Tried and Okie. Now I see him as important a figure in American music as Arlo Guthrie and Simon and Garfunkel. Merle is greatness.

@magprob 13 жыл бұрын

I've seen the Hag a few times, but when I was a kid, we saw him and the Strangers in Bakersfield, in the 60's. That sticks with me for ever, Even with the rock I've listened to all my life, I put the Hag is in the highest place of complete respect, because he is the real deal.

@johnnyhuis 13 жыл бұрын

This is the true beat of the song-kind of bluesy & with comfortable rhythm! Well written for the times and I think it would be a hit today, if just released! Hats Off! Thanks, Mr. Haggard!

@gareof 13 жыл бұрын

Merle's one of voices that stand out from the rest....10 seconds into any of his songs and you know it's "Hag"....I Grew up playin' guitar in Bakersfield competing with him and Buck for gigs..(Tex' Barrel House, The Blackboard, The Lucky Spot, Pumpkin Center.. etc. etc.) But they Forced me to get serious about music & singing, ...unfortunately I left for the L.A. music scene in 1962 and played Rock and Roll because I thought country music was "lame"...just a dumb kid.

@ronbo11 13 жыл бұрын

Merle & the Strangers are just awesome in this video! Pure musical genius.

@donluke578 12 жыл бұрын

Man, if there is a male country singer with a fantastic voice, great tunes, great lyrics that I can just listen to all day long......it's the man.....Merle Haggard.....ya gotta love Merle......!!!!

@jensenbell 12 жыл бұрын

Guitar Solo HEAVEN from 1:46 Mister Roy Nichols!! That's how you play the blues, Bakersfield Style!

@TheGENNI28 12 жыл бұрын

@LLMorse1 - Merles father worked for the railroad (laborer) before he died when Merle was 9. If you do some research. Merle has a personal understanding of what life is like for the working man being he is the son of one and knows hard times because his family lived it. Believe me as a mother of 4 married to a man who is a welder and roofer our children have a very good understanding of life in a blue collar family and the daily struggles that can go along with that just as Merle does.

@jnfamiani 11 жыл бұрын

One of the best guitar solos I have ever heard!

@stratguy 13 жыл бұрын

That is one of the best lead rides I've ever heard Merle play!!! Very clean and articulate and tasty as well!!! Of course Roy burned the strings off of his Tele.

@RandyRayReviews 11 жыл бұрын

I just done got up out my chair and started dancin' my working mans blues away!

@chevy662 11 жыл бұрын

this is country damm it

@DVFDrinkOrDie 14 жыл бұрын

Bakersfield born and raised. Right here! I love the seattle sound of Alice In Chains, Candlebox, Soundgarden, and of course Nirvana. Also love Australia's AC/DC. But you also can't ignore Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Love them all!

@jgizzy 13 жыл бұрын

I'm 4 years old, and I love Merle Haggard!

@51362879 15 жыл бұрын

Get it Merle! great song! I always thought he looked like a cross between Clint Eastwood, and James Garner. LOL!

@tree071 13 жыл бұрын

Time tested and time true!!!! Love it

@kevingann5711 12 жыл бұрын

im 24 and still love rockin to some merle. dad brought me up on the good stuff

@seenfromsweden 13 жыл бұрын

Impressed with how he holds the cigarette!

@mrjamrock1000 14 жыл бұрын

Love the post, working man blues in Merle's prime, late 70's. I saw him at the Pozo saloon with Devil Makes 3 and mainstream country stars Currington and Vasser. Devil Makes three and Merle played first, just like the old days in Bakersfield, hotties, drunks and biker gangs were everywhere. People going nuts for Merle. Then the last two guys came on and even though they are great performers about half the crowd left. This video is a testament to the power of Merle and the Bakersfield sound.

@FrankaDith 12 жыл бұрын

@Avenger325 And anybody thinking you sing like that and play the guitar that well without workin at it is a damn fool thanks for the comeback he deserves all the praise he gets R.I.P Mr Haggard.

@cdkgb 13 жыл бұрын

Merle Haggard = Real American.

@snakejohnson88 15 жыл бұрын

i knew the dead did a lot of merle covers, but i never realized how much jerry must have learned from roy nichols, i was like is that jerry ripping it up. just got into merle, real good stuff.

@surfdude2000 14 жыл бұрын

The beauty in Merle's songs are his lyrics. His music has obvious blues, gospel and country roots, but the magic of his music is how his words paint a picture that people can identify with. It's blue collar, it's American, it's from the heart and it's timeless. "I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole... No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried"

@amoskowitz0103 13 жыл бұрын

Redd Volkaert once told me that the hardest thing to get used to at first with Haggard is his lack of interest in proper timing. I was like "dude, you're playing with friggin' Haggard..." He's like - yep! :) LOL

@16windermere 15 жыл бұрын

you cant get any better than this , nice clip

@TheBurf1 12 жыл бұрын

You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!

@foxyhare2001 14 жыл бұрын

My dad had 10 kids...lol! Go Merle and go dad!

@ZupaDub 15 жыл бұрын

..just wonderful, simply wonderful, thanks for posting this, so much xxx

@bcstpete 14 жыл бұрын

3:11 "yeah, yeah, far out! I dig this country groove man"

@vendanges3 15 жыл бұрын

Roy Nichols was one of the greatest guitarist of Country Music. Merle ain't bad either!!!

@sonnyboygumbo 15 жыл бұрын

Woa!!!! Roy Nichols... The band is wailin' on this!!

@Kennymurraycampbell 12 жыл бұрын

Merle is the man.

@TheBurf1 12 жыл бұрын

You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his ass outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!

@Nancietta 14 жыл бұрын

Still a great song, performer, & band .

@BCRSIX 12 жыл бұрын

Is that Roy Nichols sitting down playing guitar? Merle's a damn good guitar player himself, and hey has gotten better over the years.

@quiltbee 14 жыл бұрын

very nice upload....thank you...

@johnrunion 14 жыл бұрын

thankfully we still have merle. when he is gone...so is real country!

@jcurt76 12 жыл бұрын

That's some serious rhythm guitar at 2:22!

@TheBlakem 11 жыл бұрын

This is GREAT!!!!

@likes2aplay 14 жыл бұрын

awesome song thank ya

@yossarian22athome 14 жыл бұрын

Way better than in the studia, love it!

@Dave081949 12 жыл бұрын

Wish I could pick like the late Roy Nichols, pictured sitting down. WOW

@fromthenorthwest 14 жыл бұрын

the end of the piano solo looks so cool when he goes up high with both hands!

@BucktailFishing 14 жыл бұрын

Sing the song that tells about those of us that put our noses to the grindstone and earn our place in society. Keep it up Merle!

@TheDjangojunkie 12 жыл бұрын

awesome solo. roy is so cool!!

@yearling4 15 жыл бұрын

F@#kin' bad ass.....playin' while holdin' a cig, I love it! Roy NIchols' part was awesome too : )

@bashfulbrother 12 жыл бұрын

@LLMorse1 I worked with Lynn Anderson. Her mother Liz wrote Fugitive plus a dozen other Haggard hits. They met Merle when he was doing time. They lived near the prison in which he was incarcerated. The prison sent guys out on work assignments in the community. Trust me, Merle knows quite well, what it means to bust a sweat on menial labor.

@jnfamiani 11 жыл бұрын

the best guitar solo!

@RogerAlanBoggs 12 жыл бұрын

Piano player @2:14 --- Awesome

@dangervich 14 жыл бұрын

Loose as a goose... recommended by a friend who said he was to syrupy in the studio and much better in concert... got to agree with her if this is any indication! Fantastic performance!

@sxomega1 14 жыл бұрын

Merle Haggard is the ONLY !!!!!!!!!!!!

@TheYajrennat 13 жыл бұрын

Happy Labor Day.

@JakeOwenLover 13 жыл бұрын

My dad sounds like Merle Haggard. It's Great!(:

@vendanges3 13 жыл бұрын

Just love the guy!

@gomudhen 11 жыл бұрын

Roy Nichols guitar solo is hotter than a urinary infection. This cat could PLAY.

@Vulturer 14 жыл бұрын

Man I also like Metal and classical, but this song really kicks! Really the workin' man's song, especially for those who play a few sets everyday for weeks.

@JacksonDelaneyMusic 12 жыл бұрын

What a talent

@timnorman7543 12 жыл бұрын

ole merle is gonna be at the ohio state fair in june.gonna go see him,he puts on one hell of a show

@RattlerMan33 15 жыл бұрын

Man Hag and them Strangers are somethin to see!!!

@thedawgshow 13 жыл бұрын

Watch that piano!!!! He's working it!!!

@bosszeroboss 15 жыл бұрын

Love it.

@sbstnpofadder 12 жыл бұрын

Holy shit i want that Telecaster..

@thedawgshow 13 жыл бұрын

Wow, now that's working it!!!

@Nancietta 14 жыл бұрын

Still a great song & performer.

@Samoaka 12 жыл бұрын

Thumbs up for the piano player!

@foxnotch 12 жыл бұрын

I don't see why everyone is getting their panties twisted about him not being a "working man". He is singing this FOR the working man, and portraying himself as one to give the song feeling. If he wrote a song which described his admiration for working men, well that would just be gay.

@27stockdill 12 жыл бұрын

i grew up on this music these guys lived their music thats y theyre so good if u dont like it listen to your rap crap

@briandillpickle 13 жыл бұрын

You don't mess with The Hagg

@akeagleTL 12 жыл бұрын

I'm trying to figure out how to put this on repeat.

@cwildcatter1 15 жыл бұрын

Great one! thanks

@haunter112 14 жыл бұрын

"Sounds like Roy!" Love me some Roy Nichols!

@HAPPYTHELEAF 12 жыл бұрын

@LLMorse1 I guess you figure yourself to be a working man but unlike working men you do not have enough imagination to peel a banana skin my friend........Merle on the other hand has enough imagination to write about what he see and feels, so thank your lucky stars for hard working musicians like Merle..

@BoudiccaBlanc 12 жыл бұрын

"Merle Ronald Haggard (born April 6, 1937) is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville Sound recordings of the same era......" -- Wikipedia

@Bodie007 13 жыл бұрын

Ol' Merle is a pretty smooth Tele-picker.

@ArkRed1 13 жыл бұрын

Roy Nichols, the greatest.

@aaanker 12 жыл бұрын

Why fight or trash Merle Haggard? (don't answer) - Let's just enjoy him play out and if you don't like it listen/watch something else.

@rappy90 12 жыл бұрын

Kinda looks like Eastwood! Play on Merle!

@lits 15 жыл бұрын

You said that right, friend.

@l87kmps 13 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the music (MH), God Bless U, I remember Jean Val Jean went to prison for stealing a piece of bread to feed his family , not everyones retirement like todays thieves, my advise is be reluctant to be "the judge" of others , as we R all surely gonna be judged someday.

@TheFman43 11 жыл бұрын

actually I remember Roy playing a 57 strat, 5 days a week, on KERO tv ..Bakersfield..and playing awesome guitar lick!..I have never heard the sound of that 57 strat ..ever again..the new ones dont sound anything like that..

@PinkFloydrulez 13 жыл бұрын

this reminds me an awful lot of the dead covering big river

@krenzcar88 14 жыл бұрын

Slicker than silk socks.

@DaddyyCrab 12 жыл бұрын

I guess we have some whiners here, talking how a musician doesn't work. Hm. I beg to differ.

@lits 15 жыл бұрын

yes yes yes.

@Vulturer 14 жыл бұрын

@Soulpower1484 write about the way they solo, how they are influenced by country music and such, write about the lyrics, what the song makes you think of, relate specific personal experiences to the lyrics and what it makes you think of.

@stdguage 13 жыл бұрын

That's Ronnie Reno on the rthym Martin guitar, he is a fine bluegrass musician...

@Retslu 14 жыл бұрын

You put this on here surfdude, thanks...sorry bout that lump in my throat sort of thing.

@curvy71 12 жыл бұрын

i always liked this song.they play this at DollyWood.

@surfdude2000 14 жыл бұрын

Note: I've had to remove and block several comment senders for engaging in negative arguments with one another that had nothing to do with this video. I did not wish to do this, but I want comments to remain respectful and courteous, even if your opinions completely disagree. Thanx Surfdude2000

@no1machinest 12 жыл бұрын

@SwampSurferPDX I think that lead quitar is Roy Nichols.

@steevrawjers 14 жыл бұрын

amazing

@HottStix1 12 жыл бұрын

ahh you might be right. but have you ever played music? have you ever been on a tour? It's not as easy as it may seem. Lots of hard WORK and dedication goes in to being a good musician and performer. Its not for everyone. PLUS the way this man earns his money is entertaining a certain group of people. like working men, so for him to write a song to appeal to this group of people is a very good idea! It sells albums and tickets, which is how this working man (Mr. Haggard) makes his living.

@surfdude2000 12 жыл бұрын

Right you are HottStix1... Most musicians don't see a penny for all the time and practice they put into their craft. People like @LLMorse are clueless...

@TheCykoraider 12 жыл бұрын

@LLMorse1 Actually, he does know about working for a living. My mom was a friend of his when she was younger (In Bakersfield) bit of an alcoholic in his day but was still an average everyday man. he didnt grow up in wealth actually lived in a dumpy little apartment before he became famous.

@chevy662 11 жыл бұрын

I drink alot of beer that evening

@surfdude2000 14 жыл бұрын

Intro, verse, verse, solo, verse, end, drink...