OldiesButGoodies

Country

Today I Started Loving You Again – Merle Haggard

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Introduction:

“Today I Started Loving You Again,” a poignant country song by Merle Haggard, was released in 1968 as part of his album The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde. Written by Haggard and Bonnie Owens, the song captures the essence of rekindled love with its heartfelt lyrics and simplicity. Despite being the B-side to Haggard’s number one hit “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde,” this track initially did not achieve commercial success; however, it later gained recognition and became a beloved standard in country music.

Musically, “Today I Started Loving You Again” embodies the classic country sound that Haggard is renowned for, characterized by its straightforward melodies and emotional depth. The song’s themes revolve around love, heartache, and the cyclical nature of relationships, resonating with audiences who have experienced similar feelings of longing and reconciliation. Its powerful chorus illustrates a return to love after a period of emotional healing, showcasing Haggard’s gift for storytelling through song.

The song’s journey didn’t truly begin until it was covered by Sammi Smith in 1975, which helped to introduce it to a broader audience. Over the years, many artists, including Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Chris Stapleton, have lent their voices to this timeless piece, further solidifying its place in the country music canon. Haggard’s original version, though it did not chart upon its release, has since been recognized as one of the defining songs of the genre, showcasing the emotional complexity and sincerity that characterize Haggard’s work.

Ultimately, “Today I Started Loving You Again” remains a testament to Haggard’s enduring legacy as one of country music’s most significant figures, capturing the essence of love’s ebbs and flows through beautifully crafted lyrics and melody​.

Video:

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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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