It's All in the Movies

History

The album's title track became Haggard's eighth consecutive #1 country single and features the same pop-oriented sound that producer Ken Nelson had employed on the singer's recent chart topper "Always Wanting You." Two songs, "Stingeree" and "Hag's Dixie Blues, No. 2," had been recorded for a 1973 studio album I Love Dixie Blues, a project Haggard scrapped after deciding to record a live album in New Orleans. Haggard also returns to Bob Wills and western swing on "Living With the Shades Pulled Down" and Wills own "Cotton Patch Blues." The album closes with the Dolly Parton-penned gospel song "The Seeker."

Reception

It's All in the Movies would become Haggard's third consecutive collection to top the Billboard country albums chart. AllMusic: "While the title track is a gentle, affecting ballad, It's All in the Movies doesn't contain enough similarly engaging material to make the record successful. The album is at its best when Haggard delves into western swing, such as 'Living with the Shades Pulled Down,' or when he delivers straightforward ballads like 'Nothing's Worse Than Losing' and 'I Know An Ending When It Comes,' but too many of the songs on the LP are pleasant, but inconsequential, filler."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Merle Haggard; except where indicated

1. "It's All in the Movies" – 3:15
2. "Nothing's Worse Than Losing" – 2:58
3. "After Loving You" (Merle Haggard, Ronnie Reno, Leona Williams) – 3:10
4. "Stingeree" (Charles Singleton, Larry Coleman) – 4:03
5. "I Know an Ending When It Comes" (Hank Cochran) – 3:10
6. "This Is the Song We Sing" – 2:45
7. "Living With the Shades Pulled Down" – 2:58
8. "Hag's Dixie Blues, No. 2" – 2:50
9. "Let's Stop Pretending" – 3:05
10. "Cotton Patch Blues" (Bob Wills, Tiny Moore, Billy Joe Moore) – 2:57
11. "The Seeker" (Dolly Parton) – 2:50