OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – “Somewhere To Come When It Rains”

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Introduction:

“Somewhere to Come When It Rains” is a poignant country ballad recorded by Merle Haggard in 1970. The song was written by Roy Nichols, a renowned guitarist who played with Haggard’s band, The Strangers. It was released as the B-side to the single “Carolyn,” but its haunting melody and introspective lyrics resonated with listeners, leading to its inclusion on Haggard’s album “A Portrait of Merle Haggard.”

The song’s lyrics paint a picture of a lonely traveler seeking refuge from life’s storms. The protagonist yearns for a place where he can find solace and escape the hardships of the world. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing for a safe haven, a place where he can be himself and find comfort in the company of loved ones.

“Somewhere to Come When It Rains” showcases Haggard’s signature vocal style, characterized by its deep baritone and emotional delivery. His voice conveys a sense of weariness and vulnerability, adding depth to the song’s melancholic tone. The song’s sparse instrumentation, featuring Haggard’s acoustic guitar and Nichols’s poignant pedal steel guitar, further enhances its emotional impact.

The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal themes of loneliness, longing, and the search for meaning in life. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, solidifying its place as a country music classic.

“Somewhere to Come When It Rains” remains a poignant reflection on the human condition, reminding listeners of the importance of finding solace and connection in the face of life’s challenges.

Video:

https://youtu.be/VG0IjySoonc?si=f8fcMbT60O9F3xcf

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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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