About the song
Merle Haggard’s song “Call Me” is a heartfelt and soulful track that showcases the legendary country artist’s ability to convey deep emotion through his music. Released in 1975 as part of his album *Keep Movin’ On*, “Call Me” stands out as a song that blends traditional country with the introspective storytelling that Haggard was renowned for.
“Call Me” is a song about longing and the need for connection. The lyrics express a deep sense of yearning and a desire to maintain a bond, even when circumstances pull people apart. Haggard’s delivery is tender yet powerful, resonating with anyone who has ever felt the pain of distance and the hope of reconnection. The song is built around the simple, yet poignant, invitation to “call me,” which carries the weight of unspoken feelings and unfulfilled wishes. It is this simplicity that makes the song relatable and timeless.
Musically, “Call Me” features the hallmarks of Haggard’s style—smooth, warm vocals, and a blend of traditional country instrumentation with a touch of the blues. The arrangement is understated, allowing Haggard’s voice and the emotion behind the lyrics to take center stage. This approach is typical of Haggard’s work, where the focus is always on the storytelling and the connection with the listener. His voice, with its subtle tremors and rich texture, adds a layer of authenticity to the song, making it feel like a personal conversation with the listener.
Haggard was known for writing and performing songs that spoke directly to the experiences of everyday people, and “Call Me” is no exception. The song reflects the themes of love, loss, and the human need for connection, which are common threads throughout Haggard’s extensive body of work. These themes were particularly resonant in the 1970s, a time when Haggard was at the peak of his career and his music was reaching a wide audience.
“Call Me” may not have been one of Haggard’s biggest commercial hits, but it remains a cherished piece of his catalog for those who appreciate his unique ability to capture the nuances of human emotion in song. It’s a track that showcases the depth of Haggard’s talent not just as a singer, but as a storyteller and a communicator of the human condition.
For older listeners, “Call Me” might evoke memories of a time when music was a primary means of expressing feelings that were otherwise hard to articulate. Haggard’s gentle plea in the song serves as a reminder of the power of connection, and how important it is to reach out, even when words fail us. It’s a message that remains relevant, making “Call Me” a song that continues to resonate with audiences, regardless of the passage of time.
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Lyrics
… Well, it was all
That I could do to keep from crying’
Sometimes it seemed so useless to remain
But you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin’
You never even call me by my name
… You don’t have to call me Waylon Jennings
And you don’t have to call me Charlie pride
And you don’t have to call me Merle Haggard anymore
Even though you’re on my fighting’ side
… And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standing’ in the rain
But you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin’
You never even called me by my name
… Well, I’ve heard my name
A few times in your phone book (hello, hello)
And I’ve seen it on signs where I’ve played
But the only time I know
I’ll hear “David Allan Coe”
Is when Jesus has his final judgment day
… And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standing’ in the rain
But you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin’
You never even called me by my name
… Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song
And he told me it was the perfect country & western song
I wrote him back a letter and I told him it was
Not the perfect country & western song because he hadn’t said anything at all about mama,
Or trains,
Or trucks,
Or prison,
Or getting’ drunk
Well he sat down and wrote another verse to the song
And he sent it to me,
And after reading it,
I realized that my friend had written the perfect
Country & western song
And I felt obliged to include it on this album
The last verse goes like this here:
… Well, I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison
And I went to pick her up in the rain
But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck
She got run ned over by a damned old train
… And I’ll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standing’ in the rain
No, a’ you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin’
You never even call me
Well I wonder why you don’t call me
Why don’t you ever call me by my name