Introduction:
A Heartbreak Soothed: The Story of Merle Haggard’s “A Better Love Next Time”
Merle Haggard’s “A Better Love Next Time” isn’t your typical heartbreak ballad. Released in 1989, the song offers a comforting hand to someone reeling from a lost love. But the path to this song’s creation goes beyond Haggard himself.
Songwriters Johnny Christopher and Bobby Wood penned “A Better Love Next Time,” and it landed in the perfect hands. Haggard, known for his Bakersfield sound and working-class anthems, had also experienced his share of heartbreak. His first three marriages ended in divorce, and his music often dealt with themes of love, loss, and resilience.
“A Better Love Next Time” became part of Haggard’s album “5:01 Blues,” released in July 1989. The album’s title track referenced a specific time – 5:01 AM – a time often associated with loneliness and contemplation. “A Better Love Next Time” fit the theme perfectly, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the heartache.
The song itself is a conversation between two friends. The protagonist receives a call from someone who’s just been through a breakup. The lyrics, “Got a call tonight saying we could still be friends / What a way to say goodbye, what a way to end,” paint a picture of a messy and painful separation.
But Haggard, through his signature baritone, offers words of encouragement. Lines like, “They say the darkest hour is just before dawn / So I’ll just hold my head up,” reference the idea that even in the depths of despair, there’s always the possibility of a brighter future. The song doesn’t shy away from the pain, but it gently suggests that with time, there’s a chance to find “another love, a better love.”
“A Better Love Next Time” became Haggard’s last Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, reaching number four in 1989. It resonated with fans who saw their own experiences reflected in the lyrics. The song offered a unique perspective on heartbreak – a friend’s voice offering solace and the promise of something better on the horizon. So, when you hear the opening chords of “A Better Love Next Time,” prepare for a song that acknowledges the sting of loss but ultimately celebrates the hope for love that endures.