Merle Haggard Guitar Songs – Learn His Greatest Country Hits

Merle Haggard's music defined classic country — and his songs remain as fun to play as they are timeless to hear.

On this page, you'll find 20 of the most iconic Merle Haggard guitar songs, all arranged for acoustic players looking to capture that signature Bakersfield sound. From outlaw anthems like Okie from Muskogee and The Fightin’ Side of Me to emotional ballads like Silver Wings and Sing Me Back Home, these step-by-step lessons include full video demos, rhythm tips, and printable chord sheets.

Whether you're revisiting these songs or learning them for the first time, you’ll find plenty of favorites in this hand-picked collection.

Big City was the title track from Merle Haggard’s 1981 album Big City, released shortly after he signed with Epic Records.

It became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remains one of Haggard’s most iconic odes to working-class frustration.

Co-written with his longtime bassist Dean Holloway, the song is a defiant anthem about escaping urban life and heading for wide-open country — a sentiment that resonated deeply with blue-collar America in the early '80s.

Branded Man was a #1 hit for Merle Haggard back in 1967.

The song is from the album of the same name.

I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am hails from the album "Pride In What I Am" album from 1968.

The song hit #1 in Canada and #3 in the US.

I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink was a #1 song for Merle Haggard when it hit the airwaves in 1980.

The song hails from the album "Back To The Barrooms'.

If We Make It Through December was released in 1973 as the lead single from the album Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present and later included on If We Make It Through December (1974).

It went on to become a #1 hit and one of Haggard’s most beloved songs, spending four weeks at the top of the country charts.

Though technically a holiday-themed tune, its themes of hardship, unemployment, and hope struck a much broader chord during an economic downturn, making it timeless.

Mama Tried was released in 1968, “Mama Tried” was the lead single from the album of the same name and quickly became one of Haggard’s most enduring hits.

It topped the country charts and earned a Grammy Hall of Fame induction in 1999. The semi-autobiographical song tells of a rebellious son who ends up in prison despite his mother’s efforts — a reflection of Haggard’s own troubled youth, which included time in San Quentin.

It’s widely considered one of the greatest country songs of all time.

My Favorite Memory is a romantic ballad was released as the lead single from the 1981 album Big City.

It reached #1 on the Billboard country chart, marking yet another chart-topper during Haggard’s successful run with Epic Records.

The song showcases his softer side, reflecting on tender moments from a past love. While overshadowed by “Big City,” it remains a fan favorite for its simplicity and heartfelt emotion.

Okie From Muskogee is perhaps Haggard’s most controversial and culturally iconic song.

“Okie From Muskogee” was released in 1969 and soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It was the title track of the Okie From Muskogee live album and became a defining moment in Haggard’s career.

Whether taken as satire or sincerity, the song sparked nationwide debate for its patriotic tone and critique of 1960s counterculture. Either way, it solidified Haggard’s place as a voice for conservative, working-class Americans.

Ramblin Fever  was the title track from Haggard’s 1977 Ramblin’ Fever album, marking his first release under MCA Records.

Although the song surprisingly wasn't released as a single, the album itself was a commercial success and helped transition Haggard into a new phase of his career.

The track became a fan favorite and a staple in his live shows for its autobiographical lyrics about life on the road.

Silver Wings was originally released on the 1969 A Portrait of Merle Haggard album,.

“Silver Wings” was never officially issued as a single, but it became one of Haggard’s most beloved tracks. The soaring melody and emotional lyrics made it a favorite for both fans and other artists, and it has since become a classic, often covered in tribute performances.

Its enduring popularity stands as a testament to its emotional resonance despite not charting.

Sing Me Back Home is the 1967 title track from the Sing Me Back Home album and was released as a single and became one of Merle Haggard’s most poignant and powerful hits.

It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song was inspired by Haggard’s time in San Quentin prison and was based on fellow inmate and executed friend, Jimmy "Rabbit" Hendricks.

It’s widely praised for its emotional depth and is considered one of the greatest country songs ever written.

Swingin Doors was released in 1966 as a single and became the title track of the Swinging Doors and the Bottle Let Me Down album.

It climbed to #5 on the Billboard country chart, helping to solidify Haggard’s honky-tonk reputation.

The song paints a vivid picture of a man trying to get over a breakup with nothing but his barstool surroundings — a theme that would define much of Haggard’s early work.

The Bottle Let Me Down was also featured on the 1966 album Swinging Doors and the Bottle Let Me Down.

This track was a Top 3 hit on the country charts and remains one of Haggard’s quintessential barroom anthems.

With its clever lyrical twist — the bottle let him down just like his lover did — the song became a jukebox favorite and showcased Haggard’s lyrical wit and emotional honesty.

That's The Way Love Goes was originally written by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer.

This song had been recorded by several artists before Haggard made it his own. His 1983 version became a #1 hit and the title track of the That’s the Way Love Goes album.

The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, demonstrating Haggard’s ability to take a well-known standard and deliver a smooth, heartfelt rendition that made it timeless.

The Fightin Side Of Me was released in 1970 as a single and the title track of the live album The Fightin’ Side of Me.

This patriotic anthem became one of Merle Haggard’s most controversial yet defining songs. It hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and spent three weeks at the top.

Written during the Vietnam War era, it echoed the sentiments of the “silent majority” and was seen as a follow-up to “Okie from Muskogee.”

Haggard himself later admitted the song was a reflection of the time, not necessarily a lifelong viewpoint, showing his complexity as a writer.

The Running Kind was released in 1978 on the album A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today and later featured on Serving 190 Proof.

As a minor hit, it reached #12 on the country charts. The song reflects Haggard’s constant need to move on — both literally and emotionally — a recurring theme in his music.

Its blend of restlessness and regret has made it a fan favorite and a staple in tribute performance.

Things Aren't Funny Anymore is an introspective ballad that was released as a single in 1974 and became another #1 hit for Haggard, featured on the album Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album.

The song showcases a more somber and vulnerable side, chronicling a relationship slipping into silence and emotional distance.

It was praised for its subtle, understated delivery and marked a shift in tone from Haggard’s earlier honky-tonk themes.

When Times Were Good appeared on the 1986 album A Friend in California, a record that reflected a mix of new material and nostalgic themes.

Though not released as a major charting single, the song is cherished for its reflective lyrics and smooth production.

It stands as a heartfelt look back at simpler times — a theme that resonated with Haggard’s maturing audience in the mid-’80s.

White Line Fever was originally featured on Haggard’s 1969 album A Portrait of Merle Haggard.

“White Line Fever” is a hard-driving trucker song that wasn’t released as a single but became a cult favorite. It captures the weariness of constant travel, with “white line fever” referring to the hypnotic effect of long-distance highway driving.

Its gritty realism and driving rhythm made it a precursor to the outlaw country movement.

Workin Mans Blues is one of Merle’s signature songs that was released in 1969 and quickly rose to #1 on the Billboard country chart.

It appeared on the album A Portrait of Merle Haggard and became a blue-collar anthem, celebrating the dignity of hard work with a catchy rhythm and bluesy guitar lines.

The song remains one of Haggard’s most enduring classics and helped cement his image as the voice of the American working class.