OldiesButGoodies

Country

Are You Feelin Me – Toby Keith

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Introduction:

Ah, yes, Toby Keith’s “Hard Way To Make An Easy Living”. Released in 2013 on his album Drinks After Work, this song is a prime example of what makes Toby Keith such an enduring figure in country music. It’s a simple yet powerful ode to the American working man, particularly those who carve their living from the land.

Now, Toby Keith himself is no stranger to hard work. A native Oklahoman raised in the oil fields, he brings a genuine blue-collar authenticity to his music. This is evident in the song’s production, credited to Bobby Pinson. Pinson, another Oklahoma native with strong ties to country traditionalism, keeps the instrumentation clean and uncluttered. The focus is firmly on Keith’s voice and the story he’s telling.

And what a story it is. The song opens with a misconception. People might look at the man on the land and see wealth – a sturdy house, sprawling fields. But “Hard Way To Make An Easy Living” quickly disrupts that illusion. This man built his own home, with his own two hands. He’s up before dawn, toiling under the relentless sun, his supper often going cold as he works tirelessly.

There’s a quiet dignity in this portrayal. Keith doesn’t resort to histrionics or melodrama. The lyrics are plainspoken, reflecting the unpretentious nature of the life they describe. It’s a life built on sweat, grit, and a deep connection to the land. The song acknowledges the challenges – the ever-present threat of bad weather, the constant struggle against the elements. But there’s also a quiet pride in accomplishment, a recognition that this hard work is what puts food on the table, clothes on the back, and a roof overhead.

“Hard Way To Make An Easy Living” isn’t just about the physical labor, though. It delves into the spiritual side of this existence. The chorus, a repeated refrain that becomes almost a mantra, reminds us that “Life’s a tough old road to hoe, Trust in God with the seeds you sow.” This isn’t just about backbreaking labor; it’s about faith, about believing in the cyclical nature of life, the promise of a harvest after the planting.

The song doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities. The narrator mentions a devastating tornado that flattened everything in 1988 – a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those who depend on the land. Yet, the song remains resolutely optimistic. The final verse speaks of the “cattle and the cotton” knowing what the folks in town don’t – the value of hard work, the deep satisfaction that comes from wresting a living from the earth.

“Hard Way To Make An Easy Living” may not be a flashy song, filled with elaborate production or chart-topping aspirations. But within its simple framework lies a timeless truth – the enduring spirit of the American worker, the quiet heroism of those who build their lives on sweat, faith, and the unwavering belief that hard work is its own reward.

Video:

https://youtu.be/lD92AWdjvJ8?si=kcLkND2bBPTI2rCr

 

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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