The best "poet of the common man" ever, Hag's lyrics are real, and heartbreaking. Poetic, yet plain. It is common nowadays for songwriters to write sad songs, but they are insincere and ridiculous for the most part. Especially when delivered by some disingenuous, tone-deaf hack like Tim McGraw or Kenny Chesney. Merle Haggard should be able to write his own ticket in the country music world, yet sadly, he is all but ignored by the Nashville establishment.
2007-11-29 23:02:39 · 12 answers · asked by Jay G 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Country
I TOTALLY agree with your FIRST LINE...
He is the BEST "POET OF THE COMMON MAN" EVER!
I WOULD LIKE TO "SAY" AND "BELEIVE" that he's the BEST EVER..but i must be REALISTIC...MERLE WOULD'NT EVEN AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS ONE...I think he's right up there with the BEST OF EM...i would even go so far as to say that he has ONE FOOT IN HEAVENS GATE when it comes to WRITING HEARTFELT LYRICS..He is THE MASTER ALRIGHT, AND IN MY HEART AND SOUL..HE IS THE BEST!!!..BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGENDS-ICONS THAT ARE RIGHT UP THERE WITH HIM
EXAMPLE...I ADORE WHISPERING BILL ANDERSON'S WRITING...AND HOW COULD ANYONE OVER LOOK HANK SR-TOM T. HALL-LORETTA LYNN...... THESES GUYS ARE GREAT AND SHOULD NEVER BE COMPARED!
2007-11-30 01:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
Merle is right up there at the top but as has been said Merle himself doesn't think he is the greatest. If you were to ask Merle you would get an answer that he thinks Lefty Frizzell and Tommy Collins were two of the greatest songwriters. Merle is a very humble man and won't be found patting himself on the back.
2007-11-30 11:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by Fool 4 Tommy Collins ? ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's good...but I don't think anyone can compare to the writing of Johnny Cash....If you have read his books (I've read all 3) you would see that. In his books he placed parts of songs that he wrote that were never released. Not to mention all the great songs that were released...He wrote what he knew, how he felt. Before I really became the fan I am now of Johnny Cash, I had always loved the Folsom Prison Blues, Boy Named Sue, Walk the Line....after reading one of his books and finding all this great music that so many people HAVEN'T heard, I have soooo much respect for this man and his music!!!
2007-11-30 11:23:59 · answer #3 · answered by Amber G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Merle is ONE of the greatest but I wouldn't say THE greatest. And I cannot agree at all with your assessment on Tim and Kenny, but everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I think that in country music there are many many many great lyricists. We have Merle, Willie, Kris, Dolly Hank Sr and Hank Jr....and so way too many others to name them all here.
2007-11-30 12:43:10 · answer #4 · answered by She's Back 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I caught a concert of his on the NJ publich TV station last night... what a performer! But ignored by the Nashville establishment? I thought all of those hacks were coming out of NY & LA anyway. He's pretty much revered as a Country deity from what I can tell. Of course, I wouldn't know Kenny Chesney if he bit my butt, though, so I guess I'm a bit out of the mainstream!
2007-11-30 09:50:25 · answer #5 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Recently read a survey that list Hag,Tom T.Hall as 2 of the most prolific writers in the country music arena.
Personnally I lik Merles music over most anyone from the 60's thru 80's(my favorite coutry years).
So for that time period til present I would say he is one of the best.
2007-11-30 09:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by blakree 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Shel Silverstein
2007-11-30 20:19:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You bet he is. We have been around for many years heard alot of good music, but Merle Haggard is in a class by himself. He hasn't been topped yet.
2007-11-30 16:16:20 · answer #8 · answered by Star doodle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He is by far one of the best if not the best of today. As you said he writes heartfelt lyrics.
2007-11-30 08:50:05 · answer #9 · answered by loretta 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
He's good, I wouldn't go as far as saying the best. But he is up there amongst the better one's. I'll think of some and maybe post them back here later.
2007-11-30 08:48:35 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋