OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – Running Kind

The Running Kind: Listening to Merle Haggard (American Music Series): Cantwell, David: 9781477322369: Amazon.com: Books

Introduction:

In January 1978, a poignant ballad titled “Running Kind” emerged from the unmistakable baritone of country music legend Merle Haggard. Backed by his trusted band The Strangers, the song became the second and final single released from Haggard’s introspective album, A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today.

Haggard, a songwriter known for his unflinching portrayal of the working class experience, used “Running Kind” to paint a vivid picture of a man perpetually on the move. This wasn’t the carefree journey of a wanderer, but the desperate struggle of someone perpetually chasing elusive opportunities. The song resonated deeply with blue-collar audiences who identified with the frustrations of a system seemingly stacked against them.

“Running Kind” wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit, but its impact transcended commercial success. It became a cornerstone of Haggard’s live performances, a powerful anthem for those toiling away in unappreciated jobs. The song’s enduring legacy is further cemented by its inclusion on compilation albums and its influence on other country artists. Notably, Radney Foster covered “Running Kind” for the 1994 tribute album Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute to Merle Haggard, with his version finding a respectable position on the country music charts. Even the legendary Johnny Cash couldn’t resist the song’s raw emotion, collaborating with Tom Petty for a rendition included in Cash’s posthumous box set Unearthed.

Produced by Ken Nelson and Charles “Fuzzy” Owen, “Running Kind” reflects the signature sound of Haggard’s Bakersfield era. The song is a masterclass in stripped-down country music. Haggard’s raspy vocals take center stage, accompanied by the twang of steel guitar, the rhythmic strumming of acoustic guitars, and a simple yet effective drumbeat. This minimalist approach allows the raw emotion of the lyrics to shine through, creating a powerful connection with the listener.

“Running Kind” stands as a testament to Merle Haggard’s singular songwriting ability. It’s more than just a song; it’s a window into the soul of a working man, a lament for the forgotten, and a reminder of the struggles faced by those who keep the wheels of society turning.

Video:

https://youtu.be/fH3CXGEbqRA?si=-oCTEzQn3hb4Ifbl

Lyrics:

I was born the runnin’ kindWith leavin’ always on my mindHome was never home to me at any timeEvery front door found me hopin’I would find the back door openThere just had to be an exitFor the runnin’ kind
Within me there’s a prisonSurrounding me aloneAs real as any dungeon with its walls of stoneI know runnin’s not the answerYeah, but runnin’s been my natureAnd a part of meThat keeps me movin’ on
I was born the runnin’ kindWith leavin’ always on my mindHome was never home to me at any timeEvery front door found me hopin’I would find the back door openThere just had to be an exitFor the runnin’ kind
I was born the runnin’ kindWith leavin’ always on my mindHome was never home to me at any timeEvery front door found me hopin’I would find the back door openThere just had to be an exitFor the runnin’ kind

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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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