Quotes by Merle Haggard

“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.”

“I think I'm most proud of my family right now. I'm more into that then I've ever been. It also gives a new area to draw from in creativity with my songs.”

“Everybody likes Johnny Cash. I think the sad part of it is his health is givin' him problems.”

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

“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.”

“I'm happier. ... I guess I made up my mind to be that way.”

“Today I started loving you again I'm right back where I've really always been; I got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend, Then today I started loving you again.”

“Every fool has a rainbow But he never seems to find The reward that should be waiting At the end of the line. But he'll give up a bed of roses For a hammock filled with thorns And go chasing after ...”

“We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee We don’t take our trips on LSD We don’t burn our draft cards down on Main Street We like living right and being free.”

“I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, A place where even squares can have a ball. We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse, And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.”

“I've lived through 17 stays in penal institutions. Incarceration in a penitentiary. Five marriages, a bankruptcy, a broken back, brawls, shooting incidents, swindlings, sickness, the death of loved...”

“When the world wide war is over and done And the dream of peace comes through We'll all be drinking some free bubble up And eating some rainbow stew.”

“One of these days when the air clears up And the sun come shining through We'll all be drinking free bubble up And eating some rainbow stew.”

“Look at the past 25 years — we went downhill, and if people don't realize it, they don't have their fucking eyes on. In 1960, when I came out of prison as an ex-convict, I had more freedom under pa...”

“I had different views in the '70s. As a human being, I've learned… I have more culture now. I was dumb as a rock when I wrote 'Okie from Muskogee'. That's being honest with you at the moment, and a...”

“He cultivated an appreciation of musicians that seemed more appropriate to a jazz bandleader. … Even more arresting than the band was Haggard’s phrasing, which contradicted almost every precedent. ...”

“Fellow Bakersfield sound pioneer and ’70s-era Outlaw country co-founder Merle Haggard scored an astonishing 34 No. 1 hit singles, from I’m a Lonesome Fugitive [in 1966] to Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky St...”

“Aside from Johnny Cash, Haggard is probably the name that most comes up when naming the greatest country singers of all time. Haggard is certainly one of the most celebrated artists ever and one of...”