Merle Haggard's Iconic Ballad Born Over Hamburgers After Stressful Airport Layover

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Merle Haggard's classic country song 'Today I Started Loving You Again' was written over a humble meal of take-out hamburgers, after Haggard and his then-wife Bonnie Owens found themselves exhausted and reconnecting during a stressful layover at LAX airport in the late 1960s. The song, which became a standard covered by countless artists, was born from Haggard's offhand remark to Owens that he felt he had 'started loving her again' after their grueling tour schedule, with both of them recognizing the potential for a powerful song lyric.

Why it matters

Haggard's story behind the creation of this beloved country standard provides a rare glimpse into the personal and creative partnership between the legendary singer-songwriter and his longtime wife and duet partner Bonnie Owens. The song's origins also highlight how inspiration can strike in the most unexpected moments, even amidst the mundane frustrations of travel.

The details

After a particularly grueling months-long tour, Haggard and Owens found themselves exhausted and reconnecting at the luggage carousel at LAX. Haggard turned to Owens and remarked, 'You know, we haven't had time to say hello to each other.' Owens recalled the look of exhaustion on Haggard's face, and he then said the fateful words: 'Today I started loving you again.' Both Haggard and Owens recognized the potential for a powerful song lyric in that simple statement. A few weeks later, as the couple was on the road again, Haggard asked Owens to pick up some hamburgers for their hotel room. It was then that Haggard had written out the full lyrics to 'Today I Started Loving You Again' and played it for Owens, who was 'speechless' at his creation.

• In the late 1960s, after a grueling months-long tour.
• A few weeks after the initial inspiration at LAX, Haggard wrote the full song in a hotel room.

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