Goin' Home for Christmas

Goin' Home for Christmas is the 36th studio album by American country singer Merle Haggard backed by The Strangers, released in 1982. A Christmas album, it reached Number 41 on the Billboard Country album chart. It was re-issued on Epic in 1984 with a completely different sleeve. Subsequent re-issues have reverted to variations of the original sleeve, but with a bonus track, "White Christmas" added. This extra track was recorded in 1986 and released in 1988 on the various artist collection "Nashville's Greatest Christmas Hits" (Columbia CK 44412). It was co-produced by Roy Nichols, lead guitarist of The Strangers.

Critical reception

The AllMusic review states: "Merle Haggard's contribution to the holiday season is a generally festive affair... Mostly though, Haggard is an unexpectedly sensitive interpreter of these seasonal favorites."

Track listing

All songs by Merle Haggard unless otherwise noted:

"Goin' Home for Christmas" – 2:28

"Grandma's Homemade Christmas Card" – 2:17

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 2:14

"Santa Claus and Popcorn" – 2:32

"Daddy Won't Be Home Again for Christmas" – 3:23

"If We Make It Through December" – 2:39

"Bobby Wants a Puppy Dog for Christmas" – 2:09

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Johnny Marks) – 2:47

"Blue Christmas" (Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson) – 2:08

"Lonely Night" (M. L. Butler, Freddy Powers) – 2:53

Personnel

Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar

Leona Williams Haggard

Jimmy Capps

Hal Rugg

Henry Strzelcki

Steve Chapman

Clay Caire

Farrell Morris

Mark Casstevens

Ron Oates

Curtis Young

Donna Sheridon

Doug Clements

Louis Nunley

Chart performance

References

1982 Christmas albums

Christmas albums by American artists

Country Christmas albums

Epic Records albums

Merle Haggard albums