Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Merle Haggard’s “Branded Man” Teaches Us Not to Judge Someone Based on Their Past

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Have you ever been branded with something because of what you did in the past? Maybe you can relate to Merle Haggard’s 1967 classic hit. The track was part of his Branded Man album and it talks about his experience right after getting out of prison.

merle haggard, branded man
via Merle Haggard’s Facebook

Merle Haggard is a Branded Man

We all know of the time when Merle Haggard spent three years in jail. Being born during the great depression back then, it was tough for his family to earn a living. This caused him to do things necessary for survival and he was branded as a thief. During his three-year stay in San Quentin prison, he learned how to play music as a pastime. He became an entertainer for his fellow prison mates.

After he was pardoned by California’s Governor back then, Ronald Reagan in 1972, he started to fix his life. Of course, this was not an easy task for the outlaw singer since he already has a bad reputation. This was why he was inspired to write the song “Branded Man.” He wanted to pour out his feelings about how society treats people who have bad things in their past and is trying to be better.

merle haggard, branded man
via Screengrab from YouTube

Lyrics Breakdown

I’d like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won’t let my secret go untold

This is what makes Merle Haggard a great country artist. He shows what he truly feels about the world and what is happening to us in his songs. Bias and prejudice is almost a second nature to us and this should not be the case. We are only promoting unnecessary hate that is not needed for us to progress as a society.

If a person tries his/her best to move past their mistake, then we should let them. Instead of judging them, we must give our full support because it is what they need.

Listen to the song here:

 

Latest Stories

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...

Julian Ryan smiles with his fiancée and kids in a family photo before the Texas floods that took his life in a heartbreaking tragedy.

Young Dad’s Heartbreaking Final Words Revealed by Family After Texas Flooding Tragedy

Julian Ryan wasn’t just another name on the growing list of the dead in the Texas flood disaster. He was a father, a fiancé, and, in his final moments, a ...

Miranda Lambert performs onstage at a concert, now under fire for focusing on animals during the Texas floods tragedy.

Miranda Lambert Under Fire for Asking Help for Animals in Texas Floods While People Still Missing

Sometimes, doing the right thing still gets you dragged through the mud. Miranda Lambert, country’s resident dog lover and unapologetic Texas girl, is catching flak this week for what some ...

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

One moment, it was just another summer night in the Texas Hill Country, the next the river rose like an angry giant and tore whole lives apart. According to AP ...

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf. For a guy who’s racked up ...

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

When Toby Keith sat down with a fantasy football stat sheet and scribbled out “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”, he didn’t just write a song. He lit a ...

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Nothing says freedom like blasting a rowdy country playlist while you torch a few burgers, keep the cooler stocked, and watch your drunk uncle light fireworks way too close to ...

Keith Urban sits next to Nicole Kidman looking serious, a moment that echoes him shutting down talk about her steamy movie scenes.

Keith Urban Shuts Down Interview When Nicole Kidman’s Scenes With Younger Men Are Mentioned

Some lines just ain’t worth crossing, especially when you’re asking Keith Urban about Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron rolling around on screen. This week, the whole thing went sideways when ...

Tim McGraw sits outdoors with Faith Hill, leaning on a cane, sparking questions about his health but showing their strong bond.

Tim McGraw Using a Cane With Faith Hill Beside Him Raises Questions About His Health

Sometimes country music’s strongest cowboys need a little help standing tall, and Tim McGraw’s latest photo has folks asking how much longer he can keep carrying that torch. It’s not ...

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood smile together at an event, standing united amid the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit drama.

Garth Brooks’ Marriage With Trisha Yearwood Reportedly Unshaken by Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Nothing tests a marriage like ugly headlines, but Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are riding out this storm shoulder to shoulder. Since last October, Garth Brooks has been staring down ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.