In 1969, Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens recorded “That Makes Two of Us,” a duet that felt less like performance and more like conversation. Both had carried heartbreak into their union, both knew the weight of starting over. Yet when their voices met, the pain seemed to soften — replaced by a quiet assurance that love, even fragile, could still endure. Merle once reflected, “Bonnie had a way of making every line sound true.” And in this song, truth was all that mattered. Their harmonies didn’t dazzle with polish; they resonated with honesty. For audiences, the duet was more than a melody — it was a glimpse of two people building something steady from broken pieces. “That Makes Two of Us” remains a reminder that music’s greatest gift isn’t perfection. It’s the courage to share your story and find someone willing to sing it with you.

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

Some songs feel like they’re less about performance and more about two people simply talking to each other—and inviting us to listen in. “That Makes Two of Us” is one of those songs. Sung by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens in the mid-1960s, it captures the easy back-and-forth of a couple whose voices blend as naturally as their shared history.

What makes the song special isn’t just the lyrics—it’s the chemistry. Merle’s voice carries that rugged, honest edge, while Bonnie’s adds warmth and clarity, like a steady hand on the heart. Together, they don’t just sing about love and understanding—they embody it. You can almost imagine them smiling at each other as the lines trade places, two lives woven into one melody.

At the time, duets were often polished and dramatic, but “That Makes Two of Us” stood out for its simplicity. It’s not about fireworks—it’s about connection. The kind of everyday love that’s steady, reassuring, and deeply human. For Merle, still early in his rise, and Bonnie, already a respected voice, the song became another step in a story that was as much personal as it was musical.

Looking back now, it feels like a snapshot: two artists, two partners, capturing a moment in time where love and music spoke the same language. And that’s why “That Makes Two of Us” still feels so tender—it’s not just a duet, it’s a conversation that never really ends.

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Lyrics

Far to sense you’d up and leave, that’s what you say
Don’t you know that the road can run both ways?
Well, I’m so sure that for each other we’re all wrong
And I’m tired of always trying to get along

Well that makes two of us, you’re not the only one
Like you, I’ve had enough, the end has now begun
I guess I’m just as tired of you as you say you are of me
And that makes two of us, we both want to be free

I’m all through with trying to make the gold of us
And I’ve given up on giving in so much
As far as I’m concerned, it’s over but to pack
I could walk away and never once look back

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Bonnie once said “We may not be husband and wife anymore, but we’ll always share the music.” When Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens divorced in 1978, many assumed their story had ended. But night after night, Bonnie remained on stage, introducing Merle with the same quiet pride she had carried for years .Their bond had shifted, but it had not broken. The harmonies they once sang as lovers now carried a different weight — that of respect, loyalty, and shared history. For audiences, seeing Bonnie at Merle’s side long after their marriage ended was a rare reminder: that some connections run deeper than romance. In their duets, listeners didn’t just hear two voices. They heard a lifelong promise — that what was built in truth, through hardship and devotion, would remain unshaken by time.

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Merle Haggard once made a heartfelt visit to the grave of his ex-wife, Bonnie Owens, bringing with him only a guitar and a heavy heart. Standing quietly at her resting place, he strummed the chords of “Today I Started Loving You Again,” a song they once shared, both in music and in life. The moment was filled with raw emotion, as Merle honored the deep bond they had long after their marriage ended. His voice, slightly trembling, carried memories, love, and a sense of loss—paying tribute to the woman who had stood by him through some of his most defining years.

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“I believed in Merle’s gift, and I wanted the world to hear it.” Offstage, Bonnie Owens was more than Merle Haggard’s harmony singer — she was his anchor. In the restless years of Merle’s rise, when fame pressed heavy and the road grew long, Bonnie was there: managing details, offering counsel, and quietly reminding him of the man behind the music. She once said, “I believed in Merle’s gift, and I wanted the world to hear it.” Even after their marriage ended, she never stopped championing his work. While others saw the outlaw, Bonnie saw the poet — and she carried that belief with unwavering loyalty. Fans may remember their duets under bright lights, but the truer story lies in the quiet halls and dressing rooms, where Bonnie’s presence steadied Merle through chaos. Their bond proves that love can outlast romance, becoming something rarer: a lifelong devotion to art, to respect, and to each other’s truth.

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