“Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star”
Merle Haggard
Written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
February 20, 1988
Merle Haggard’s final Billboard No. 1 hit is a fifties pastiche reminiscent of Ronnie Milsap’s recent work at the time.
That approach combined with a nursery rhyme title may sound like a recipe for disaster for Merle Haggard, but the contrast between his pure country vocal performance and the song’s content make it more interesting of a record than expected.
The New Orleans brass instrumentation that surfaces toward the end are the cherry on top the sundae, giving some additional distinctiveness as the song fades out.
It’s a bit lightweight for a Haggard tune, as charming as it is. Thankfully, this isn’t the last time we’ll see Haggard, as he has a Radio & Records-only No. 1 on deck for 1989.
“Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star” gets a B+.
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I didn[t realize that Merle was still putting out #1s by the time 1988 came around. I certainly remember this song but thought it had come earlier than the late 80s. I agree that the concept and title are a bit clunky but also agree that this could just as easily have come from the Ronnie Milsap discography from around this era. It certainly isn{t gonna rate at the top of the Merle songbook but between the jazzy musicianship and the charm Merle brings to the vocal performance, this one manages to work.
Grade B