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

To Love And Let Go: The Story Of Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings”

Merle Haggard + Silver Wings
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

A country song about the remembrance of love, Merle Haggard’s 1969 track “Silver Wings” off his tenth studio album with his band The Strangers, A Portrait of Merle Haggard, has reached “most enduring and iconic” status. In his interview with Uncut, he shared that he wrote the song on the plane – a 707 from Phoenix, Arizona bound for LA – with his then-wife Bonnie Owens

The inspiration struck when he looked out the window and saw the aircraft’s silver wings, calling it a great premise for a song. And it was indeed. Well, Merle Haggard’s songs never disappoint. 

Meaning Behind the Song

The song first appeared on A Portrait of Merle Haggard released in September 1969 under Capitol. A month later, it was re-released in his first live album with The Strangers titled Okie from Muskogee

Haggard created a simple structure for the track: a chorus repeated three times and broken down by a single verse after the first. For the lyrics, he used the imagery of the “silver wings” as a symbol of the pain of letting someone you love go. As for the sound, he utilized only three-chords and combined it with his signature twangy guitar and pedal steel. And that simplicity lent even more depth to the message, effortlessly managing to bring everyone to tears. 

Let’s break it down.

The country legend set the song with a melancholic opening scene. First, there was the glittering image of the silver wings shining in the sunlight and the roaring sound of the engines. But those same silver wings took his love away, flying and then slowly fading out of his sight. And he was left there standing behind, abandoned. 

But what totally broke everyone’s heart was when he sang of crying, begging for his lover not to leave him. But she locked him out of her mind. And so, he kept on repeating the chorus over and over again – the part we all definitely felt the pain resonate with us. 

And Haggard’s distinctive voice perfectly captured the wistful longing of the man, creating a sense of authenticity that ultimately drove the message of the song home. No wonder it remains to be one of the most beloved tracks by the legend. 

If you’re ready for a painful cry, then go ahead and watch Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings” in the video below.

Latest Stories

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With "If I Needed You"

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

When Don Williams and Emmylou Harris came together for their duet of “If I Needed You,” they gave life to one of country music’s most cherished ballads. Originally written and ...

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of "Three Wooden Crosses"

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

When Randy Travis and Josh Turner joined forces for a 2006 episode of CMT Cross Country, it was a meeting of country music generations that fans won’t soon forget among ...

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...