The Fugitive

Merle Haggard

About The Fugitive

"The Fugitive' (later titled "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" on the album) is a song recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers, written by Liz Anderson and Casey Anderson (parents of country music singer Lynn Anderson). It was released in December 1966 as the first single and title track from the album I'm a Lonesome Fugitive. The song was Haggard and The Strangers first number one hit on the U. S. country singles chart, spending one week at number one and fifteen weeks on the chart. The B-side, "Someone Told My Story", peaked at number 32 on the country chart. 


Year:
1996
2:56
58 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Down every road there's always one more city 
I'm on the run, the highway is my home
I raised a lot of Cain back in my younger days 
While Mama used to pray my crops would fail 
Now I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways
Outrun the law or spend my life in jail

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me 
A fugitive must be a rolling stone 
Down every road there's always one more city 
I'm on the run, the highway is my home

I'm lonely but I can't afford the luxury
Of having one I love to come along
She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
For he who travels fastest goes alone

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me 
A fugitive must be a rolling stone 
Down every road there's always one more city 
I'm on the run, the highway is my home

I'm on the run, the highway is my home

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


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 »

9 fans

Written by: Casey Anderson, Liz Anderson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"The Fugitive," originally titled "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," was released by Merle Haggard on November 28, 1966.
Chart Performance
The song became Merle Haggard's first number one hit on Billboard's US Hot Country Singles chart in March 1967.
Album
"The Fugitive" is the title track of Haggard’s 1967 album “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive".
Genre
The song is considered a prime example of the Bakersfield sound, a genre of country music that arose in the mid-to-late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California.
Songwriters
"The Fugitive" was written by Liz Anderson and her husband, Casey Anderson. It is believed the song was inspired by popular crime television shows at the time, like "The Fugitive".
Iconic Status
This song established Haggard as a mainstay artist in country music and his perceived outlaw image.
Legacy
Over the years, "The Fugitive" has been covered by various artists, showcasing its influence in the country music scene.
Personal Connection
The song's theme of escape and law evasion eerily echoed Haggard's real-life experiences. Before pursuing a music career, he spent time in juvenile detention centers and prisons, including San Quentin.
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1998, nearly three decades after its release, "The Fugitive" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Cinema Appearance
The song was featured in the 1967 film "Killers Three," which starred Haggard himself.

Discuss the The Fugitive Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Fugitive Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26353475/Merle+Haggard/The+Fugitive>.

    Missing lyrics by Merle Haggard?

    Know any other songs by Merle Haggard? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Fugitive

    33,047
    426     9

    more tracks from the album

    Down Every Road

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    The song "Daddy Issues" is from the group?
    A The Mavericks
    B The Neighbourhood
    C BTS
    D Panic at the Disco

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Merle Haggard tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!