OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – Big City

MERLE HAGGARD-BIG CITY NEW CD

Introduction:

In 1982, country music legend Merle Haggard released a song that would become an anthem for those who crave the peace and freedom of rural life. “Big City” is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a man disillusioned by the hustle and bustle of city life, longing for the simpler times spent back home. The song, co-written by Haggard and Dean Holloway, became a cornerstone of Haggard’s signature sound, the Bakersfield sound, characterized by its Bakersfield, California roots. This sound is known for its twangy electric guitars, prominent pedal steel guitar, and a strong rhythm section, all underpinned by Haggard’s unmistakable baritone vocals.

“Big City” was released on Haggard’s 1981 album of the same name, his debut project for Epic Records after a long run with MCA. The album, produced by Lewis Talley, reached number three on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 161 on the Pop Albums chart, achieving gold certification by the RIAA. However, it was the title track, “Big City”, that became the album’s biggest hit. The song resonated with audiences, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and staying there for two weeks.

Haggard, a native of Oklahoma, was no stranger to the allure of the city. He had moved to California in the 1950s to pursue a career in country music, finding early success in Bakersfield. However, the song suggests that the city’s initial excitement eventually gave way to a sense of alienation and disconnection. “Big City” became a powerful expression of Haggard’s own experiences, capturing the yearning for open spaces and a simpler way of life.

The song’s enduring popularity lies in its relatable themes. “Big City” speaks to a universal human experience – the tension between the pursuit of opportunity and the comfort of familiarity. For many listeners, it evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era or a simpler time in their own lives. “Big City” cemented Haggard’s status as a country music icon and continues to resonate with listeners today, both those who have personally experienced the disillusionment of city life and those who simply find solace in the imagery of wide-open spaces and rural living.

Video:

https://youtu.be/MVQ0eOMY7z4?si=IN3MlbVpoyjjCaMz

Lyrics:

I’m tired of this dirty old city
Entirely too much work and never enough play
And I’m tired of these dirty old sidewalks
Think I’ll walk off my steady job today

Turn me loose, set me free
Somewhere in the middle of Montana
And give me all I’ve got comin’ to me
And keep your retirement
And your so called social security
Big city, turn me loose and set me free

Been working everyday since I was twenty
Haven’t got a thing to show for anything I’ve done
There’s folks who never work and they’ve got plenty
Think it’s time some guys like me had some fun

So, turn me loose, set me free
Somewhere in the middle of Montana
And give me all I’ve got comin’ to me
And keep your retirement
And your so called social security
Big city, turn me loose and set me free
Hey big city, turn me loose and set me free

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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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