An Introduction to America’s Music

460 PART 4 | SINCE WORLD WAR II

songwriter: Merle Haggard

date: 1968

performers: Merle Haggard and the

Strangers

genre: country

meter: duple

form: verse and chorus

timing section text comments

0:00 introduction Solo fi ngerpicked acoustic guitar

sets an intimate mood; electric lead

guitar joins in bar 3 to heighten the

excitement; in bars 4–5 the drums

establish the rhythmic style for the

remainder of the song.

0:11 verse 1 The fi rst thing I remember... Bent pitches at the ends of phrases

(on “knowing,” “blowing”),

emphasize the rising melodic line.

The lyrics focus on the young child’s

imagination and wanderlust.

0:31 verse 2 One and only rebel child... The second verse introduces the

confl ict in values between mother

and son.

0:50 chorus And I turned twenty-one in prison... The melody’s highest note falls

near the beginning of the chorus

(“twenty-one”), closely followed

by its lowest note (“no one”).

Background singers and more-

emphatic drumming, with kick drum

and ride cymbal, strengthen melodic

climax.

1:11 interlude Electric guitar solo in the

characteristic “twangy” Bakersfi eld

style.

1:20 verse 3 Dear old daddy, rest his soul... Verse focuses on the mother’s

struggles as a single parent. The

accompaniment returns to the more

subdued sound of the earlier verses.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• confessional, semi-autobiographical lyrics


• direct, uncomplicated vocal delivery


• Bakersfi eld sound: twangy electric guitar,
  light drums


• non-Bakersfi eld elements: acoustic guitar,
  background vocals

CD 3.21 Listening Guide 18.4 “Mama Tried” MERLE HAGGARD

172028_18_440-467_r3_sd.indd 460 23/01/13 11:02 AM