Introduction
When Noel and Ben Haggard sing “Today I Started Loving You Again”, they do more than revisit a classic—they breathe new tenderness into one of Merle Haggard’s most beloved ballads, offering a performance that feels both timeless and freshly personal. First released by Merle Haggard in 1968, the song has since become a staple of country heartache—simple, honest, and emotionally devastating in its quiet way. In the hands of his sons, it becomes a living echo of the original, filled with both familial reverence and emotional clarity.
The lyrics are straightforward but deeply affecting: “Today I started loving you again / I’m right back where I’ve really always been.” It’s the story of a love that never truly faded—of realizing that, despite time and distance, the heart still clings to what once was. There’s no bitterness, only acceptance and vulnerability, the kind that country music has long cherished.
Ben Haggard, with his hauntingly familiar voice and subtle phrasing, leads the song with a natural grace that recalls his father’s style without imitating it. His delivery is soft-spoken and sincere, capturing the ache behind every line. Noel, singing harmony, brings warmth and depth, rounding out the performance with a brotherly blend that’s as smooth as it is heartfelt.
The arrangement is kept beautifully restrained—acoustic guitar, gentle steel, and just enough space between notes to let the emotion breathe. It’s this simplicity that gives the performance its strength. There are no theatrics here—just two sons, standing where their father once stood, letting the song speak for itself.
What makes this rendition of “Today I Started Loving You Again” so special is not just the beauty of the music, but the sense of continuity it represents. For fans of Merle Haggard, it’s a moving reminder that while one voice may be gone, the feeling he poured into his songs lives on. And for new listeners, Noel and Ben offer a masterclass in how authentic country music sounds when it’s sung from the heart.
“Today I Started Loving You Again” remains one of the most poignant love songs ever written—and in the voices of Noel and Ben Haggard, it finds a new chapter, full of grace, memory, and quiet power.