Released in 1967, “Branded Man” was Merle Haggard’s fourth number one hit and a defining moment in his career. The song laid bare his past as an ex-con, with lyrics about trying to move on from prison but being haunted by the stigma. Raw, honest, and autobiographical, it struck a chord with working-class listeners and solidified Haggard’s outlaw image in country music. #country | Truck Stop Country