What makes A Portrait of Merle Haggard by Merle Haggard and The Strangers notable?

The album features the iconic track 'Okie From Muskogee,' which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country chart and became an anthem of a cultural movement in America, reflecting the sentiments of working-class citizens during the Vietnam War era. The album's blend of traditional themes and personal narratives solidified Haggard's status as a key figure in outlaw country. Released in 1969, A Portrait of Merle Haggard marked Haggard's emergence as a defining voice of country music following his breakthrough hit, 'Okie From Muskogee.' At this point in his career, he had already established himself with several successful albums and was beginning to influence the genre significantly.

How many songs are on A Portrait of Merle Haggard?

A Portrait of Merle Haggard has 14 tracks.

A Portrait of Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard and The Strangers · 1969

14 tracks

A rich tapestry of traditional country sounds, blending heartfelt storytelling with the grit of American life.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Okie From Muskogee — This track is emblematic of Haggard's ability to capture the spirit of rural America, addressing social issues while celebrating small-town values.
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I’m a Lonesome Fugitive — The song showcases Haggard's poignant storytelling, expressing deep feelings of isolation and regret that resonate throughout his catalog.
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Branded Man — Here, Haggard articulates themes of stigma and redemption, encapsulating the struggle faced by those who have been marginalized by society.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

77 /100

Alpine

Higher than 86% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional country sounds with strong narratives, showcasing Haggard's storytelling ability.

What we noticed

Each song features traditional country instrumentation, including steel guitar and fiddle, creating a cohesive sound throughout.
Several tracks employ a storytelling format, where Haggard's vocal delivery emphasizes the lyrical content, often reflecting on themes of hardship and resilience.
The last three tracks slow down in tempo, providing a reflective conclusion to the album's exploration of American life.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Okie From Muskogee
2 I’m a Lonesome Fugitive
3 I Threw Away the Rose
4 Swinging Doors
5 House of Memories
6 Strangers
7 Shade Tree (Fix It Man)
8 Workin’ Man’s Blues
9 Sing Me Back Home
10 Branded Man
11 High on a Hilltop
12 The Bottle Let Me Down
13 Sam Hill
14 Silver Wings

What to play next

Listen next

Hag

1971

Go back to

Swinging Doors and the Bottle Let Me Down

1966

Full Merle Haggard and The Strangers discography Artists like Merle Haggard and The Strangers

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata