Hungry Eyes

Merle Haggard

About Hungry Eyes

"Hungry Eyes" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in February 1969 as the first single from the album A Portrait of Merle Haggard. The song was one of the most famous of his career.


Year:
2003
3:36
37 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

A canvas-covered cabin in a crowded labour camp 
Stand out in this memory I revived
'Cause my daddy raised a family there, with two hard-working hands 
And tried to feed my mama's hungry eyes

He dreamed of something better, and my mama's faith was strong
And us kids were just to young to realize
That another class of people put us somewhere just below
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes

Mama never had the luxuries she wanted 
But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try
She only wanted things she really needed
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes

I remember daddy praying for a better way of life
But I don't recall a change of any size
Just a little loss of courage, as their age began to show
And more sadness in my mama's hungry eyes

Mama never had the luxuries she wanted
But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try
She only wanted things she really needed
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes

Oh, I still recall my mama's hungry eyes

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


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: Merle Haggard

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriter
"Hungry Eyes" was written by Merle Haggard himself. Haggard is well-known not only for his singing but also his songwriting skills.
Album Inclusion
The song is a track in Merle Haggard's 1969 studio album, "A Portrait of Merle Haggard."
Chart Performance
"Hungry Eyes" was a successful hit, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Album Success
The album "A Portrait of Merle Haggard" was also successful, reaching number 3 on the Top Country Albums chart.
Social Commentary
The song provides social commentary on poverty and suffering, themes that Merle Haggard often explored in his music.
Inspired by Own Experiences
The song is believed to be inspired by Haggard's own experiences growing up in a converted railway carriage in Oildale, California during the Great Depression.
Musical Style
Like many of Merle Haggard's other songs, "Hungry Eyes" follows the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by a raw, edgy, and twangy style of Country music.
Legacy
"Hungry Eyes" has been covered by several artists including Martina McBride and Emmylou Harris, demonstrating its lasting impact.
Social Consciousness
Along with some other hit songs of his, "Hungry Eyes" helped establish Merle Haggard as a socially conscious country singer.
Music Video
In the official music video of "Hungry Eyes", Haggard narrates the tale of a deprived family during the winter which further depicts the theme of the song.

Discuss the Hungry Eyes Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

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

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Hungry Eyes Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6707179/Merle+Haggard/Hungry+Eyes>.

    Missing lyrics by Merle Haggard?

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

    Watch the song video

    Hungry Eyes

    416.5K
    2,716     67

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Everything You Want" is a 1999 biggest hit single for which band?
    A Vertical Horizon
    B Dave Matthews Band
    C The Verve Pipe
    D Tonic

    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!

    Movies soundtrack

    Hungry Eyes

    »