Introduction:
In the world of country music, few songs have carried the emotional weight and lasting resonance of Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again.” Its gentle melody and aching sincerity have allowed it to endure across generations, becoming a standard not only in Haggard’s catalog but in the broader landscape of American songwriting. Yet behind the song’s simple brilliance lies a deeply personal story—one rooted in love, collaboration, and a creative partnership that shaped some of country music’s most defining moments.
In the late 1960s, Merle Haggard was at the height of a remarkable creative surge. During this period, he was married to Bonnie Owens, a woman whose influence on his work was far greater than many listeners ever realized. Bonnie was not merely a supportive spouse standing quietly on the sidelines; she was an essential part of Haggard’s songwriting process. Haggard himself acknowledged this often, recalling that whenever he hinted at writing a song, Bonnie would immediately be by his side with a pen and paper. He once admitted that without her presence, songs like “Mama Tried” or “Workin’ Man Blues” might never have existed in the form the world came to love.
Their relationship was a true artistic partnership. In one extraordinary year—either 1968 or 1969—Haggard won six BMI awards, and Bonnie had written down the lyrics for every one of those winning songs. Creativity flowed naturally between them, often sparked by everyday moments rather than grand gestures. That was exactly how “Today I Started Loving You Again” was born.
After a long tour in Texas, Merle and Bonnie found themselves with a rare week off. While waiting together at Los Angeles International Airport, Merle casually turned to her and said, “Today I’ll start loving you again.” Bonnie immediately recognized the power in the phrase and responded, “What an idea for a song.” In that unguarded exchange—spoken almost without thought—the foundation of a timeless classic was laid.
The song truly came to life weeks later during a difficult night in Dallas. After a long performance at Dewey Groom’s Longhorn Ballroom, combined with exhaustion and a heated argument, Haggard returned to the hotel emotionally drained. Sitting on the bed in his hotel room, he asked Bonnie to go out and get him a hamburger. While she was gone, inspiration struck. With no proper writing materials nearby, Haggard grabbed a torn paper bag and began scribbling lyrics, drafting what would become one of his most beloved songs.
Though the final version was later refined and shortened, its emotional core remained untouched. Haggard gave Bonnie half the song’s rights as a gift, and following their divorce, she was awarded the remaining share. Over time, Haggard would note that “Today I Started Loving You Again” accounted for nearly half of his royalty income—a testament to its enduring power.
Perhaps the most poignant chapter of this story came years later, when Haggard visited Bonnie as she battled Alzheimer’s disease. She did not recognize him by name, yet she gently took his arm and led him to a photograph of the two of them hanging over her bed. Pointing to it, she softly said, “He’s my favorite.”
That quiet moment mirrors the song itself—tender, timeless, and filled with unspoken emotion. “Today I Started Loving You Again” is more than a classic country hit; it is a living memory, a shared creation, and a lasting tribute to a love that shaped music history and refused to fade.