I Had a Beautiful Time

"I Had a Beautiful Time" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard backed by The Strangers. It was released in January 1986 as the first single from the album A Friend in California. The song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.^[1]

"I Had a Beautiful Time"
Single by Merle Haggard
from the album A Friend in California
B-side	"This Time I Really Do"
Released	January 25, 1986
Genre	Country
Length	3:03
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Merle Haggard
Producer(s)	Merle Haggard, Ron "Snake" Reynolds
Merle Haggard singles chronology
"Amber Waves of Grain" (1985) "I Had a Beautiful Time" (1986) "A Friend in California" (1986)

Personnel

• Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar, fiddle

The Strangers:

• Roy Nichols – guitar
• Norman Hamlet – steel guitar, dobro
• Clint Strong – guitar
• Mark Yeary – keyboards
• Dennis Hromek – bass
• Biff Adam – drums
• Jimmy Belken – fiddle
• Don Markham – trumpet, saxophone
• Gary Church – trombone, trumpet

Chart performance

Chart (1986)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2]	5
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	4