Heartbroken Merle Haggard Sings Of Love Lost In ‘I’m Not That Good At Goodbye’

For years, country music has been defined as, “three chords and the truth”. The song Merle Haggard sang on one of his appearances on the TV show Pop Goes The Country is the epitome of that saying.

Singing the heartbreaking ballad “I’m Not That Good At Goodbye”, Haggard sits alone on the stage, while his guitar player and drummer sit off screen.

Written by Bob McDill and Don Williams, the song tells the story of a man who is heartbroken over the fact that his significant other wants to leave him. He is so hurt that he tells her just to leave, because he can’t handle goodbyes.

Haggard sings, 

“Please don’t tell me you’re leaving if you go
Just let me turn my head while you walk out the door
Cause if I see you leavin’ I will die
You know that I’m not that good at goodbye.”

Other country greats who have also covered this song are Lefty Frizzell and John Conlee, although we are partial to Haggard’s version. His ability to portray emotions is just top notch.

Watch his performance below.