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.
I Think I'm Gonna Live Forever
Merle Haggard Lyrics
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I thought I would surely lose my mind
Everyday of life was just another day gone by
Well you really had me down in a deep depression
I wanted real bad just to crawl off and die
But now I think I'm gonna live forever
Hey dyin' ain't on my list of things to do
I think I'm gonna live forever
Just to be out of love with you
Hey, babe, you left me hanging
Just trying to aggravate me all the way
And you got it done just the way you always do
But all you really did was aggravate me
Cause I got my health and I got over you
And now I think I'm gonna live forever
Hey dyin' ain't on my list of things to do
I think I'm gonna live forever
Hey it feels so good
Just to be out of love with you
The song "I Think I'm Gonna Live Forever" by Merle Haggard reflects on a relationship that has ended, but the singer has survived it and is looking forward to a brighter future. When the woman left him, he was devastated and felt like he was losing his mind. Every day was a struggle, and he thought about giving up on life. However, he ultimately realized that he is stronger than he thought and is determined to move on from the relationship. He declares that he is going to live forever and has no intention of dying, even though he was in a deep depression. He feels good and relieved to be out of love with the woman who caused him so much pain.
The song's lyrics are simple yet powerful, and they convey the message that life goes on even after heartbreak. Merle Haggard's voice is raw and emotional, adding to the depth of the song's meaning. The use of guitar and piano creates a melancholic mood that fits with the song's theme.
Overall, "I Think I'm Gonna Live Forever" is a representation of hope and resilience. It is a reminder that even though life may throw obstacles in our way, we have the strength to overcome them and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
When you first left me baby
My emotional state was unstable when you left me
I thought I would surely lose my mind
I felt as though I was going crazy
Everyday of life was just another day gone by
Life felt monotonous without you
Well you really had me down in a deep depression
Your absence caused me to fall into a severe state of melancholy
I wanted real bad just to crawl off and die
I desired death instead of continuing to suffer without you
But now I think I'm gonna live forever
I have regained my strength and optimism for the future
Hey dyin' ain't on my list of things to do
I am not planning to die anytime soon
I think I'm gonna live forever
I am confident in my ability to live a long life
Hey it feels so good
It is a great sensation
Just to be out of love with you
I am happy to have moved past my feelings for you
Hey, babe, you left me hanging
You abandoned me and left me in a difficult position
Just trying to aggravate me all the way
You intentionally tried to irritate and frustrate me
And you got it done just the way you always do
You succeeded in manipulating my emotions like you always have
But all you really did was aggravate me
Your efforts only made me more determined to move on from you
Cause I got my health and I got over you
I have regained my physical and emotional health, and moved on from our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENNY BINION, DENNIS HROMEK, MERLE HAGGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy Ray
on Carryin' Fire
I'm a co-writer on this song and the lyrics are not quite right here. Instead of the word high it should be higher. The last verse is A moth slowly circles the flickering candle, the fire is all it can see...