Merle Haggard's 'If We Make It Through December': A No. 1 Hit with a Dark Backstory

In a time when it feels like most songs are put together in a studio like a math equation, many tracks seem like they are designed to be as commercial as possible. The stunning story of a 1973 country classic shows that even songs that were written to tell an organic, honest, and dark story can still be a huge hit.

Merle Haggard's 'If We Make It Through December' Reached No. 1 in 1973

Released on October 27, 1973, Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" entered Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart on the same day. The memorable song from the country music icon stayed on the chart for a total of 17 weeks. Most notably, it reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart on December 22, 1973, and held the top spot for four weeks.

Ultimately, the 1973 song would become Haggard's most successful song on the chart ever. The beloved singer had previously released two other tracks that also topped the same chart for four weeks. However, each of those songs spent less time on the chart as 1969's "Okie From Muskogee" exited after 16 weeks and 1968's "Mama Tried" lasted for 15.

The Song's Dark Origin Explained

While listening to Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December," it could be easy to feel like everything is okay with the world for most of the song. After all, the holiday track brings feelings of nostalgia for some and has lyrics about how "everything's gonna be all right." However, one section of the song tells a bleak story that many people can relate to for unfortunate reasons.

"Got laid off down at the factory/And their timing's not the greatest in the world/Heaven knows I been working hard/Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl/I don't mean to hate December/It's meant to be the happy time of year/And my little girl don't understand/Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here."

A December 2024 American Songwriter article states that "If We Make It Through December" was written about Haggard's own childhood. Born near the end of the Great Depression, the country legend was part of a family that struggled as he was growing up. Since that is a fairly common experience, it is impossible to say if the song's honest and reflective lyrics helped it become a hit or if listeners overlooked them. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the serious nature of the story the song told didn't hold it back.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 9:08 AM.