Gonna Be a Countdown: (My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers

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It’s an exciting day! I’m going to meet Lou here in an hour or so (she’s giving me her extra weighted blanket). Before that happens I’m gonna eat my salad (I swear they keep one in the fridge for me ) and hit you with another song with “gonna” in the title. And, as with yesterday, Linda? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers - Merle Haggard I’m pretty sure the name Merle Haggard tells you this isn’t a punk song. It’s a Bakersfield theme here, with yesterday’s and today’s artists. Both helped solidify Bakersfield as the hotbed of west coast country music. And, as the “Nashville Sound” became more “compromising” (read: pop), the hardcore country of Hag, Owens, Skeets McDonald, Jean Shepard, Speedy West, Wynn Stewart, and countless others became a viable alternative. This was an early hit for Hag. Interestingly, it was on the charts simultaneously by two different acts, the other being the great Roy Drusky. Drusky was a terrific singer, and he’s sadly been forgotten over the years. But even people who don’t like country music know the name Merle Haggard. This song became so significant for Hag’s career that he named his band the Strangers after this song. By the way, this song was written by Liz Anderson, the mother of “Rose Garden” singer Lynn Anderson. (My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers Written by Liz Anderson Recorded By Merle Haggard From Strangers, 1964 It sure turned out to be a short forever: