Branded Man

Merle Haggard, Merle Haggard & the Strangers

About Branded Man

"Branded Man" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in July 1967 as the second single and title track from the album Branded Man. The song was Haggard and The Strangers second number one on the country charts. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent 15 weeks on the chart.


Year:
1996
3:06
200 

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I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I'm living, the black mark follows me
I'm branded with a number on my name

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

If I live to be a hundred, I guess I'll never clear my name
'Cause everybody knows I've been in jai
No matter where I'm living, I've got to tell them where I've been
Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

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Merle Haggard

Merle Ronald Haggard (born April 6, 1937) is an American country music song writer, singer, guitarist, fiddler and instrumentalist. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster and the unique mix with the traditional country steel guitar sound, new vocal harmony styles in which the words are minimal, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville Sound recordings of the same era. more »

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Written by: MERLE HAGGARD

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Branded Man" is a country music song written and performed by American artist Merle Haggard. He included this on his 1967 album also titled "Branded Man".
Chart Performance
The song was a hit on the country charts, reaching number one in the United States in September 1967.
Song Theme
The song's lyrics tell the tale of a convicted felon who has served his time but is unable to shake the stigma of being an ex-convict.
Personal Relevance
The song reflected Haggard's own experiences with the criminal justice system, as he was imprisoned multiple times in his youth.
Career Impact
"Branded Man" was Haggard's first number-one single and it helped solidify his place in the country music industry.
Recording Details
The song was recorded at Capitol Records' studio in Hollywood on February 6, 1967, with James Burton on guitar, Ralph Mooney on steel guitar, and Glen Hardin on piano.
Recognition of Album
Album "Branded Man" was recognized as Album of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
Collaboration
This was one of the first collaborations between Haggard and his long-time producer, Ken Nelson.
Reputation
The song helped build Haggard's reputation as a "poet of the common man" due to its honest and unflinching look at the life of an ex-convict.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Merle Haggard, the writer of "Branded Man", was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977 thanks in part to the success of songs like this one.
Influence
"Branded Man" has gone on to influence many artists in the country music industry. It's been covered by various artists, including Marty Stuart and Vince Gill.
Legacy
“Branded Man” marked the beginning of Haggard’s mature sound and ultimately helped shape the genre known as the “Bakersfield Sound," a harder-edged, more rock-oriented form of country music.

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