The album you're holding is The Best of the Best of Merle Haggard, a quintessential compilation of the "Hag’s" early hits. It was released in September 1972 by Capitol Records.

A High-Water Mark for Success

By the time this album came out in 1972, Merle Haggard was arguably the biggest star in country music.

Commercial Success: This compilation was so popular that it eventually went Platinum, selling over a million copies.

The Title: The title isn't just hyperbole. Haggard already had a "Best of" volume out; this was a "best of the best" collection, pulling together his most iconic #1 hits from the late '60s and very early '70s.

 The Photo with the Dog

The cover photo is famous among Haggard fans for its vulnerability. It features Merle in his signature 70s vest and sideburns, holding a small Rat Terrier.

• Merle was a lifelong animal lover and often took his dogs on the tour bus.

• This image helped cement his image as the "Working Man's Poet"—a tough guy with a soft, sensitive heart.

 Iconic Tracklist Highlights

This album contains what many consider the "Bakersfield Sound" starter pack:

• "Okie from Muskogee" & "The Fightin' Side of Me": These songs made him a cultural icon (and a controversial figure) during the Vietnam War era.

• "Mama Tried": Perhaps his most famous song, it’s semi-autobiographical, referencing his time in San Quentin State Prison.

• "Silver Wings": Despite being one of his most beloved songs today, it was originally just a "B-side" to Working Man's Blues. Its inclusion here helped solidify it as a classic.

 The "Bakersfield" Pedigree

The record was produced by Ken Nelson, the man who helped create the "Bakersfield Sound." Unlike the slick, string-heavy "Nashville Sound" of the time, this album features the raw, electric, and twangy guitar work of Merle’s legendary band, The Strangers.

 Historical Context

Just a year before this album was released (1971), Merle Haggard received a full pardon from then-California Governor Ronald Reagan for his past crimes. This record represents the moment Merle officially transitioned from a "fugitive" with a record to a legitimate American musical institution.