Haggard was born in Oildale, California, during the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled after the death of his father, and he was incarcerated several times in his youth. After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he managed to turn his life around and launch a successful country music career. He gained popularity with his songs about the working class that occasionally contained themes contrary to the prevailing anti-Vietnam War sentiment of much popular music of the time. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, he had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts, several of which also made the Billboard all-genre singles chart. Haggard continued to release successful albums into the 2000s.
He received many honors and awards for his music, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2010), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), a BMI Icon Award (2006), and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1977), Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1997). He died on April 6, 2016 — his 79th birthday — at his ranch in Shasta County, California, having recently suffered from double pneumonia.
Haggard's last recording, a song called "Kern River Blues", described his departure from Bakersfield in the late 1970s and his displeasure with politicians. The song was recorded February 9, 2016, and features his son Ben on guitar. This record was released on May 12, 2016.
Haggard endorsed Fender guitars and had a Custom Artist signature model Telecaster. The guitar is a modified Telecaster Thinline with laminated top of figured maple, set neck with deep carved heel, birdseye maple fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, ivoroid pickguard and binding, gold hardware, abalone Tuff Dog Tele peghead inlay, 2-Colour Sunburst finish, and a pair of Fender Texas Special Tele single-coil pickups with custom-wired 4-way pickup switching. He also played six-string acoustic models. In 2001, C. F. Martin & Company introduced a limited edition Merle Haggard Signature Edition 000-28SMH acoustic guitar available with or without factory-installed electronics.
Good Times
Merle Haggard Lyrics
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It was back when the country was strong
Back before Elvis, before Vietnam war came along
Before the Beatles and yesterday
When a man could still work and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?
With no kinda chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Would still last ten years like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?
I wish coke was still cola
And a joint was a bad place to be
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on T.V
Before microwave ovens when a girl could still cook, and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now
Are the good times really over for good?
Are we rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell
With no kinda chance for the flag or the liberty bell
Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Would still last ten years like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?
Stop rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell
Stand up for the flag and let's all ring the liberty bell
Let's make a Ford and a Chevy
That would still last ten years like they should
'Cause the best of the free life is still yet to come
And the good times ain't over for good
The lyrics of Merle Haggard's song, "Good Times," convey a notion of living in the moment and indulging in happiness without worrying about the future. The singer is highlighting that the present is all that matters, and one should enjoy the good times while they last. The phrase "good times" is used repeatedly throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of cherishing these moments. The lyrics also express a sense of recklessness, throwing caution to the wind, and living life to the fullest, regardless of the outcome. The lines, "I'm not gonna save any money, I'm gonna spend every dime I can," emphasize this point, showing that material things and financial security are not as important as living a happy life without regret.
Moreover, the lyrics suggest that the singer is not sure if his or her partner will stay, but chooses not to think about the uncertainty of the future. The phrase "I won't talk about believing if you won't beg me to stay" highlights this doubt. Instead, they want to enjoy the moment and make the most of it, without worrying about what comes next. The lyrics provide a sense of escapism, a break from the hardships of reality, and an escape into a world of "good times."
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I won't think about tomorrow
I refuse to think about what may happen in the future.
When the happy times are gone away
When the current moment of joy fades away.
And good times can't last forever
The current state of happiness cannot continue indefinitely.
But the good times are here today
Despite their impermanence, we are currently experiencing good times.
And I won't talk about believin'
I will not discuss ideas about holding onto happiness.
If you won't beg me to stay
If there is no one to convince me to keep this happy moment going.
I wanna live just for the moment
I want to focus solely on the present.
And everything is going my way
Everything is working out perfectly at this moment.
I'm not gonna save any money
I do not plan to hold onto my resources for future use.
I'm gonna spend every dime I can
I'll use all of my resources in the current moment.
And I'll buy you everything with money can buy
I will use my resources to provide you with everything you want.
While the good times are here at hand
As long as the happy moment persists, I'll continue to spend my resources on you.
Well, the good times can't last forever
Unfortunately, the state of happiness cannot continue indefinitely.
But the good times are here today
Nonetheless, we are currently experiencing good times and should savor the moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Merle Haggard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phillip Struzzeri
God...this song is more relevant today than the day it was written.
hudsonjones 59
Snowballing and headed for hell
steven Massey
The great ones always are !🇺🇸
30yrs ENGR
Sadly true
Dan Naab
Peace
Marcus Forbes
I hear that!!!
DTC
This may be one of the most important songs in the history of recorded music.
Ronald Hoerstmann
yes - everybody must think about it - why it is possible that he live on our earth
greu52
Yes, but only if we explicate all of his allusions and then actually devote ourselves to correct the distortions that the left and radical elements in our society have implanted.
I hope so, but have no illusions.
The Cranky Stacker
Yep.