Introduction:
“Sam Hill” is a song written by Tommy Collins and recorded by Merle Haggard in April 1964. Released as Haggard’s second single under Tally Records, it followed his debut hit “Sing a Sad Song,” which had reached number 19 on the Billboard country singles chart earlier that year. Despite the success of his debut, “Sam Hill” did not achieve significant chart success, peaking at number 45.
The song was later included in Haggard’s debut studio album, “Strangers,” released on September 27, 1965, by Capitol Records. This album marked a significant milestone in Haggard’s career, featuring a mix of new recordings and earlier singles, including “Sam Hill.” The album’s title track, “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” became Haggard’s first Top 10 hit and inspired the name of his backing band, The Strangers.
Reflecting on “Sam Hill” in his 1999 memoir, “My House of Memories,” Haggard expressed relief that the song wasn’t a major hit, stating, “I’m glad ‘Sam Hill’ wasn’t a big hit. I didn’t much like the song and had it been a giant hit I would have hated to have sung it for the next fifty years.”
While “Sam Hill” may not have been one of Haggard’s most celebrated songs, it played a role in the early development of his recording career, contributing to the foundation upon which he built a legacy as one of country music’s most influential artists.