OldiesButGoodies

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Merle Haggard – I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am

Pride In What I Am - Album by Merle Haggard & The Strangers - Apple Music

Introduction:

Merle Haggard’s “I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am” is a classic country song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Released in 1968 as the title track of his album of the same name, it quickly became a hit, reaching number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its powerful message and Haggard’s masterful storytelling.

“I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am” is a heartfelt ballad that celebrates the working-class lifestyle. Haggard’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who is proud of his humble origins and his simple pleasures. He sings about the importance of family, friendship, and hard work, and the satisfaction that comes from living a life of integrity. The song’s chorus, with its repetitive and emphatic declaration of pride, is particularly memorable and impactful.

The music of “I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am” is classic country, with a steady tempo, twangy guitar, and Haggard’s distinctive vocal style. The arrangement is simple yet effective, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. The song’s understated elegance and emotional depth have made it a timeless classic.

“I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am” has been covered by numerous artists, including Dean Martin and Johnny Cash. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal appeal. It has touched the hearts of millions of people, and its message of pride and self-worth continues to resonate with audiences today.

Video:

https://youtu.be/Bo4rdI116XM?si=AuFyYUNfZsenoU90

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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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