Sing a Sad Song

"Sing a Sad Song" was recorded by Merle Haggard in 1963 for Capitol Records. Haggard cut his version alongside producer Ken Nelson at Capitol Studios. Haggard had recently signed with the Capitol label, and later recorded his debut album in the same session as this single.[2]

"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.[3] The single spent three weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, peaking at number 19 in January 1964.[4] The song became Haggard's first major hit as a music artist.[3] It was released on his debut studio album called Strangers. Also included on the album was his first top ten hit,"(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers."[2]

"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 Capitol Records, but the song was not issued as a single.[8] 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.[9]

"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.[3] The single spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, peaking at number 11 in January 1977.[10] In Canada, the song became a top 40 hit single. It peaked at number 32 on the RPM Country Songs chart that same year.[11] "Sing a Sad Song" was Stewart's final major hit of his career. He died in 1985.[3]