Merle Haggard had plenty of hits throughout his career. But one that he is most known for is his classic, "Silver Wings," released when he was part of The Strangers. It also happens to be one of his saddest songs.
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The song says in part, "Silver wings shining in the sunlight / Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight / They're taking you away, leaving me lonely / Silver wings slowly fading out of sight / Slowly fading out of sight." Its unlikely inspiration came when Haggard was flying with Bonnie Owens, his second wife, whom he wed in 1965.
"It was written on a plane - a 707 coming out of Phoenix, Arizona going to LA with Bonnie Owens," Haggard said (via Songfacts). "I looked out and those silver wings were just gleaming. I thought, 'What a great premise for a song.'"
'Okie from Muskogee'
"Silver Wings" is on Okie from Muskogee, released by Merle Haggard and the Strangers in 1969. Okie from Muskogee also became the group's first live album. The title track of the record became a big hit for Haggard, inspired by Haggard's numerous stints in prison.
"When I was in prison, I knew what it was like to have freedom taken away," Haggard previously told The Boot. "Freedom is everything."
"Silver Wings" is one of 20 songs on Okie from Muskogee. Artists like Garrett Hedlund, Jimmy Buffett, Freddy Fender and more have since covered "Silver Wings."
Merle Haggard passed away on April 6, 2016, which happened to be his 79th birthday. He was performing up until a month before he passed away. In March of 2016, after being diagnosed with pneumonia, Haggard announced he was canceling several shows.
After he passed away, Haggard's son, Ben Haggard, revealed his famous father had predicted his own death.
"A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong," Ben posted on Facebook. "[An] hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn't just a country singer.... he was the best country singer that ever lived."
Although Haggard released numerous singles throughout his 50-plus year career, "Silver Wings" remains among his most notable.
