On Monday 24 March 2025, Gene Watson recalled one of Merle Haggard‘s classic No.1 country singles, ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’.
‘It was this week, back in 1970, that Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) had the No.1 song on the Billboard country music singles chart with ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard).
As I was coming up and singing in the clubs around Texas, I probably covered more of Merle’s songs than just about anyone else. He was such a hero of mine.
Many years later, I sang that song for a ‘Country’s Family Reunion’ show on RFD-TV.
Today, Merle’s songs are just as strong as they were then.
It’s the gift of music that continues to give, long after the singer or songwriter has passed on.
Here’s my tribute to Merle’s classic song’
Many years later, I sang that song for a ‘Country’s Family Reunion’ show on RFD-TV.
Here’s my tribute to Merle’s classic song’.
Today, Merle’s songs are just as strong as they were then.
It’s the gift of music that continues to give, long after the singer or songwriter has passed on.
Source
Gene Watson on Facebook
On Monday 6 July 1970, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) saw the release of ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970), an album, which was recorded ‘live’, with his band The Strangers, at Philadelphia’s Civic Centre Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday 14 February 1970.
The title track of Merle Haggard‘s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970) was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in March / April 1970.
