Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ Delivers a Poignant Portrait of Struggle and Reshapes Country Music’s Grit in 1973

October 1973 saw Merle Haggard releasing a song that would stand apart from typical holiday fare—“If We Make It Through December.” Rather than wrapping itself in seasonal warmth, the track delivered a piercing portrayal of hardship and resilience. In contrast to the upbeat and sanitized sounds dominating country radio at the time, Haggard’s composition focused on a man laid off just before Christmas, grappling with the weight of unemployment. The song didn’t just perform well—it became a No. 1 country hit, spending four weeks at the top, and even crossed into the pop charts, peaking at No. 28 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

By then, Haggard had firmly established himself as a cornerstone of country music. Raised in Depression-era California inside a boxcar turned home, his early life was marked by brushes with the law, incarceration, and eventual redemption through song. He was no stranger to the stories he sang about. Unlike many contemporaries riding Nashville’s slick wave, Haggard rooted his music in the gritty authenticity of the Bakersfield Sound. His voice—gravelly and sincere—embodied lived experience, and with songs like “Mama Tried” and “Sing Me Back Home,” he carved out a reputation for chronicling the pain and poetry of real life. “If We Make It Through December” would only solidify that identity.

The track came from a deeply personal place. Haggard, despite his fame, never forgot the blue-collar realities he’d emerged from. He reportedly wrote the song in a quiet hotel room, reflecting on how the holidays can magnify despair for those out of work. The narrative isn’t dramatic—there’s no climactic breakdown. It’s a soft-spoken father worried about his daughter, trying to preserve hope amid seasonal sorrow. That quiet storytelling is precisely what gives the lyrics their aching beauty and universal appeal.

Produced by Ken Nelson and Fuzzy Owen, and recorded at Capitol Studios, the arrangement of the song embraces minimalism. There are no sweeping strings or grand choruses—just a restrained mix of steel guitar, soft piano, and acoustic strumming. Haggard’s performance walks the line between stoic and broken, his voice trembling just slightly beneath its calm surface. This emotional control becomes its own kind of cry. It was a brave artistic choice, stripping away embellishment to let the listener sit with the sadness unfiltered.

Though it coincided with the holidays, the song was never confined to them. Its themes were relevant well beyond December. Released during a time of economic downturn and rising unemployment, it resonated with working-class families across the U.S. As it topped the country charts from mid-December into early January, its presence on the pop charts showed that even broader audiences connected with its realism. The track was included in the album Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present, but its impact long outlived the tinsel and trees of the season.

Unlike the conventional cheer found in most Christmas songs, Haggard’s offering dared to be somber and reflective. It peeled back the curtain on holiday hardship—a rarity in pop music of the time. “If We Make It Through December” became more than a seasonal tune; it emerged as a cultural moment that challenged what a holiday song could be. It spoke directly to those struggling to stay afloat, giving voice to a segment of society often overlooked during the season of giving.

The song also softened and expanded the image of Merle Haggard in the public eye. Long associated with an outlaw stance due to songs like “Okie from Muskogee,” this track showcased a vulnerable, compassionate side. It reminded listeners that Haggard was more than a provocateur—he was a deeply sensitive artist capable of expressing the quiet suffering of everyday people. That subtlety broadened his legacy and highlighted his place among the most emotionally intelligent voices in the genre.

Its influence didn’t stop with its commercial success. The song encouraged other artists to embrace more grounded narratives. You can hear its fingerprints in the emotionally rich storytelling of artists like Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, and Jason Isbell. It also helped set the stage for the Americana movement, which would embrace themes of realism and unvarnished truth over polished production. Haggard’s raw storytelling proved that simplicity could carry profound weight.

Over the decades, “If We Make It Through December” has found new life through countless covers. Artists like Alan Jackson and Marty Stuart have paid tribute to its raw poignancy, while indie acts have reimagined it through their own melancholic lens. One of the most memorable renditions came from Haggard himself years later. With his voice weathered by time, the song’s heartache deepened, making it even more haunting than the original recording.

The period surrounding the song’s release was a time of great personal change for Haggard. His marriage to Bonnie Owens had dissolved the previous year, and the pressures of fame weighed heavily on him. These experiences didn’t just shape his private life—they poured into his art. In hindsight, it’s easy to see how his personal transitions enriched the emotional tone of his music, particularly in songs like this one, where subtle despair bleeds into restrained hope.

Even today, the song retains a powerful relevance. With increasing attention on income inequality and economic vulnerability, “If We Make It Through December” still feels painfully timely. It’s regularly spun on country stations every winter, yet its appeal transcends the calendar. It speaks to anyone who’s ever faced an uncertain tomorrow. That’s what gives it lasting value—its ability to articulate quiet struggle without losing sight of dignity.

What continues to set the song apart is its quiet conviction. There are no sweeping promises or dramatic declarations. Instead, it offers something more real—a portrait of perseverance through bitter seasons. Haggard didn’t try to sugarcoat the pain, and in doing so, he gave listeners something rare and invaluable: truth. “If We Make It Through December” remains a testament to the enduring power of songs that dare to be honest.