A good singer can make a song sound nice, but a great singer can embody the lyrics so authentically that it seems like the words came straight from their innermost depths. However, this artistry is a celebrated illusion in the world of performance art. Behind the scenes, songwriting is an entire industry of its own. Historically, a vast majority of popular records were penned by someone other than the artist who performed them, bringing to light the complex interplay between singer and songwriter.
Some artists start their careers as songwriters before blooming into stars themselves; Dolly Parton is a prime example. Others, like Linda Ronstadt, focus their careers on interpreting the works of others, breathing life into songs through their unique vocal talents. Meanwhile, Johnny Cash straddled both worlds, embodying the dual roles of singer and songwriter. Merle Haggard, another icon of country music, approached his career with a range of possibilities, guiding him through an evolving landscape of music and expression.
Merle Haggard Discovered What Songwriting Was As a Child
At the tender age of twelve, Merle Haggard had a moment of realization that would shape his future in music. He had been operating under the common misconception that whoever sang a song also wrote it. This changed when he stumbled upon an LP jacket and noticed a name printed in smaller font below the artist’s name: “composer.” Curious, he asked his mother what a composer was. She didn’t know, so they called the record store, where he learned the truth: that composers are the architects of songs. This encounter sparked something within Haggard—a desire to not only perform but to create.
He recalled thinking, “It seemed to me that it was very important to have your name in both places there.” He understood early on that becoming a songwriter was essential. In his eyes, it was akin to learning to play an instrument; it was a necessary tool for a lasting career. He noted that the world of music is unpredictable, and having both the singer and songwriter moniker could cushion the inevitable falls, offering a financial safety net in the uncertain landscape of artistic professions.
Merle Haggard Absorbed This Advice About Songwriting vs. Singing
In a revealing interview with Donald Gibson for Write On Music in 2010, Haggard elaborated on another formative influence that directed him toward the singer-songwriter path. He spoke fondly of the songwriters he admired, emphasizing the staying power of the written word in music. “I think it’s a gift,” Haggard mused. He recalled recognizing that legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer was behind the classic “On The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe,” while also grappling with the complexities of writers like Hank Williams, who was notorious for his dealings with song pitches and cuts. Williams’s legacy was colored by his talent for recognizing a song’s potential, often claiming songs that he’d initially offered to other artists.
Throughout his journey, Haggard found himself influenced by icons like Bob Dylan, Paul Anka, and Tommy Dorsey. One piece of advice he treasured stood out: “Merle, singers come and go, but writers live forever.” This wisdom, combined with his childhood understanding of songwriting, paved the way for Haggard’s resurgence as a powerhouse in the industry. His decades-long career became a mosaic of successful original songs and interpretations, echoing the paths carved by legends like Cash and Williams, but uniquely his own.
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