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Chart Rewind: In 1969, Merle Haggard Worked His Way to No. 1 on Hot Country Songs

A Chart Rewind to Merle Haggard's 1969 hit 'Workin' Man Blues,' the legend's salute to the hard-working people with whom he identified.

It became the seventh of the genre cornerstone’s 38 leaders, the third-most in the survey’s history after George Strait, who reigns with 44, and Conway Twitty, who notched 40. The track was released from A Portrait of Merle Haggard, whose “Hungry Eyes” became the set’s first Hot Country Songs chart-topper. Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, Calif. With his smooth vocals, compelling guitar skills and lyrics that keenly linked with the working class, he earned iconic status, leading to his induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

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