OldiesButGoodies

Country

On this day in 1987, one of country music’s most beloved outlaw legends scored his final No. 1 hit — a song inspired by a timeless lullaby that fans still cherish to this day.

Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star - song and lyrics by Merle Haggard | Spotify

Introduction:

In classic country music history, some of the most acclaimed figures include Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Merle Haggard. Every single one of these names scored a myriad of hits during their careers. And Haggard, in particular, scored 38 No. 1 hits. Well, on this day, November 21, 1987, Merle Haggard released the song that would become his 38th and final No. 1 hit. Weirdly enough, it has nearly the same title as an age-old children’s lullaby.

10 Fantastic Merle Haggard Songs

We don’t have the room to remind you about all of Haggard’s 38 No. 1 singles. However, some of the more prominent include “Mama Tried”, “Okie From Muskogee”, “Workin’ Man Blues”, and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me”. Needless to say, Haggard was a creative force in the 1970s and in the 1980s. And on this day, his role as the country chart ruler saw the beginning of the end with the release of his 1987 single, “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star”.

Haggard’s “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star” was released as the first single from Haggard’s 44th studio album, Chill Factor. The album itself was an incredible success, as it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. In addition to “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star”, the album also featured classics such as “Chill Factor”, “You Babe”, “After Dark”, and “Thirty Again”. Although the album’s most popular track was, of course, “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star”.

See Merle Haggard's Swinging 'Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star'

Released on this day in 1987, “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star” went on to peak at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It topped the chart months after its release in February of 1988. It was a fairly slow climb to the top, but a climb to the top nonetheless. While the song isn’t often considered a staple in Haggard’s catalog, it does mark a career milestone for the man. Again, this final No. 1 hit was, in a way, the beginning of the end. It signified the impending transition in country music.

Following this No. 1 hit, Merle Haggard was still Merle Haggard—one of the best to ever do it. However, as we all know, the classic country sound of the 70s and 80s slowly dwindled in popularity by the time the 90s rolled around. That being said, “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star” was a last of its kind, and Haggard’s final No. 1 hit.

Video:

https://youtu.be/T7RtlShIae8?si=oIIpiUO-HT1EqMnZ

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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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