OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – Natural High

Merle Haggard - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Introduction:

“Natural High,” a heartfelt country ballad penned by Freddy Powers, reached new heights when it was recorded by the legendary Merle Haggard in 1985. Released as the third single from his album “It’s All in the Game,” the song quickly soared to the top of the country charts, becoming Haggard’s 33rd number-one hit.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its simple yet profound message about finding true happiness in life’s everyday moments. Haggard’s signature baritone voice delivers the lyrics with a deep sense of sincerity, painting vivid pictures of simple pleasures like a warm summer rain, a child’s laughter, and the beauty of nature.

“Natural High” resonated with audiences not only for its poignant lyrics but also for its timeless melody and Haggard’s impeccable delivery. The song’s success solidified Haggard’s status as a country music icon and further cemented his reputation as a master storyteller and interpreter of life’s emotions.

While the song’s origins can be traced back to Freddy Powers’ songwriting, it was Merle Haggard’s heartfelt rendition that truly brought “Natural High” to life, making it a beloved classic in the country music canon.

Video:

https://youtu.be/-CVZXSl9C9A?si=qQVtjzisro-4F6d0

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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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