It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)
Merle Haggard · 1972
31 min · 11 tracks · country music
A classic country album blending heartfelt storytelling with melodic hooks and a touch of honky-tonk charm.
Top tracks — play these first
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It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad) — This title track masterfully encapsulates the album's exploration of complex romantic feelings, balancing melancholy with an upbeat melody that invites listeners to reflect while tapping their feet.
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Goodbye Comes Hard for Me — This song stands out for its emotional depth, as Haggard expresses the pain of parting through vivid imagery and poignant details that highlight his songwriting prowess.
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Dad’s Old Fiddle — A touching homage to family and tradition, this track combines nostalgia with a lively fiddle arrangement, illustrating Haggard's roots in both storytelling and musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong storytelling and instrumentation typical of its era but lacks a cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a steady mid-tempo pace, while the latter half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
- Several songs feature prominent fiddle and steel guitar solos, which are characteristic of traditional country music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- poignant storytelling for introspection
- heartfelt emotion in every track
- for rainy day listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album followed a commercial breakthrough, solidifying Haggard's reputation.
- Themes
- complex romance· nostalgic family ties· heartfelt storytelling
- Career context
- Released in December 1972, It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad) came at a critical moment in Merle Haggard's career, just after his commercial breakthrough with the hit album, If We Make It Through December. This album solidified his status as a leading voice in country music during the early '70s, showcasing his signature blend of personal narratives and relatable themes amidst an evolving musical landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Waylon Jennings· Johnny Cash· George Jones
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad) 3:21
- 2 Goodbye Comes Hard for Me 2:41
- 3 My Woman Keeps Lovin’ Her Man 2:43
- 4 New York City Blues 2:35
- 5 I Wonder What She’ll Think About Me Leaving 3:11
- 6 The Conversion of Ronnie Jones 2:45
- 7 A Shoulder to Cry On 3:11
- 8 I’d Never Told on You 3:01
- 9 Dad’s Old Fiddle 2:53
- 10 Somewhere to Come When It Rains 2:57
- 11 I Wonder Where I’ll Find You at Tonight 2:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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