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Merle Haggard's 1973 Album Merle Haggard's Christmas Present

Merle Haggard's 1973 Album Merle Haggard's Christmas Present
Capitol Records ©
ST 11230

Merle Haggard's 1973 Album Merle Haggard's Christmas Present
Image: 1973 Album Merle Haggard's Christmas Present

Merle Haggard Discography Simplified-Rating System

Merle Haggard Discography Simplified-Rating System
Image: Merle Haggard Dicscography Simplified Rating System
Click to see criteria used in ratings



I suppose when it comes to Christmas I'm a bit of a scrooge. The main issue I have with this album is that the track "If We Make It Through December" is not a Christmas song. In fact, if I remember the story correctly, a conversation between Roy Nichols and Merle inspired the song. Merle asked Roy how his marriage with his new bride was going. Roy stated "if we make it through December we'll be fine". This of course would go on to be one of Merle top-selling #1 hits. The songs mentions the word Christmas and December but has nothing else do do with the holiday other than strife and/or struggle of the modern working man.

I for one think Christmas songs should be spiritual and uplifting. Bing Crosby's White Christmas or The Ames Brothers There'll Always Be A Christmas seem to fit the bill much better.

Haggard penned the first 5 tracks of "Christmas Present" (Side A), leaving side B for the old time standards. Merle would record another Christmas album in 1982 entitled "Goin' Home For Christmas" including the EXACT same 5 tracks he wrote from the 1973 album "A Christmas Present". They were re-recorded of course. Merle would release yet a 3rd Christmas album in 2005 entitled "I Wish I Was Santa Claus". The track "If We Make It Through December" is included on this release as well.

The only reason I think any of this is relevant is for the fact that Merle's next studio album after "Christmas Present" would be entitled...you guessed it..."If We Make It Through December" becoming one of Haggard's least successful albums.

But hey...it's still Merle!

The opinions above are solely those of Sound_man73. If you're like me you'll collect the music either way :)
Be sure to check out Merle Haggard's Official Site!
Merle Haggard 38 Number 1 Hits

Merle Haggard Discography Simplified-Merle Haggard 38 Number 1 Hits
Image: Click to see Merle Haggard's 38 Number 1 Hits



Track Listing:
Songwriter/s are in (parentheses)
  1. If We Make It Through December (Merle Haggard) *Merle's 16th #1 Hit*
  2. Santa Claus and Popcorn (Merle Haggard)
  3. Bobby Wants a Puppy Dog for Christmas (Merle Haggard)
  4. Daddy Won't Be Home Again for Christmas (Merle Haggard)
  5. Grandma's Homemade Christmas Card (Merle Haggard)
  6. White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
  7. Silver Bells (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
  8. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard/Richard B. Smith)
  9. Silent Night (Josef Mohr/Franz Xaver Gruber)
  10. Jingle Bells (James Lord Pierpont)
Personnel:
During my research for this site I've collected about 99% of everything Merle ever recorded.
If you need help with the site or finding any of these LP's, CD's or just want to chat in general,
E-Mail Me
or copy and paste:
Sound_Man73@Hotmail.Com

Jason Cross 2012 CD-Life After All

Jason Cross-Life After All-2012
Available on Amazon, iTunes & Rhapsody!
Release Date: 01/06/2012

Jason Cross Life After All-I Barely KNow You-I'm Still In Love-Just Go-CD 2012
Image: Jason Cross-Life After All-2012

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