"Sing a Sad Song" is a song written by Wynn Stewart. It was recorded notably by Merle Haggard in 1963, whose version became his first major hit. It was later recorded by Stewart himself. In 1976, Stewart's own version became a major hit as well.

Merle Haggard version

"Sing a Sad Song" was recorded by Merle Haggard in 1963 for

Capitol Records Capitol Records, LLC (known legally as Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007) is an American record label distributed by Universal Music Group through its Capitol Music Group imprint. It was founded as the first West Coast-based record label of note ...

. Haggard cut his version alongside producer Ken Nelson at

Capitol Studios Capitol Studios are recording studios located at the landmark Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, California. The studios, which opened in 1956, were initially the primary recording studios for the American record label Capitol Records. While t ...

. Haggard had recently signed with the Capitol label, and later recorded his debut album in the same session as this single. "Sing a Sad Song" was released as a single on Capitol Records in November 1963. It was Haggard's debut single release for the label and became successful. The single spent three weeks on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Hot Country Singles chart, peaking at number 19 in January 1964. The song became Haggard's first major hit as a music artist. It was released on his debut studio album called ''

Strangers A stranger is a person who is unknown to another person or group. Because of this unknown status, a stranger may be perceived as a threat until their identity (social science), identity and Character structure, character can be ascertained. Differ ...

''. Also included on the album was his first top ten hit,"

(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" is a song written by Liz Anderson. Best remembered as American country music artist Merle Haggard's first national Top 10 record, it was also a Top 10 song concurrently for Roy Drusky. The song is also known ...

Track listings

;7" vinyl single * "Sing a Sad Song" – 2:25 * "You Don't Even Try" – 2:15

Chart performance

Wynn Stewart version

"Sing a Sad Song" was notably recorded later by its writer, Wynn Stewart. He had first recorded a version that appeared on his 1965 debut studio album '' The Songs of Wynn Stewart.'' The album was issued on

, but the song was not issued as a single. However, in 1975, Stewart signed a recording contract with Playboy Records where he re-cut the track along with several other former recordings. Stewart re-recorded the song on November 4, 1975, at the RCA Victor Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The session was produced by Eddie Kilroy. "Sing a Sad Song" was released as a single on Playboy Records in October 1976. It was Stewart's fourth single release with the label. The single spent 11 weeks on the ''

'' Hot Country Singles chart, peaking at number 11 in January 1977. In Canada, the song became a top 40 hit single. It peaked at number 32 on the RPM Country Songs chart that same year. "Sing a Sad Song" was Stewart's final major hit of his career. He died in 1985.

Track listings

;7" vinyl single * "Sing a Sad Song" – 3:04 * " It's Such a Pretty World Today" – 2:33

Chart performance

References

{{Wynn Stewart 1963 songs 1976 singles 1963 debut singles Capitol Records singles Playboy Records singles Wynn Stewart songs Merle Haggard songs Songs written by Wynn Stewart Song recordings produced by Ken Nelson (American record producer). Rafał Zieliński. SAD. Song.