Hannah Harper threw it back to 1983 for American Idol‘s Top 7 night with a cover of a Merle Haggard hit.
Monday night’s American Idol episode brought two themes: Taylor Swift and California Songs. The final 7 contestants were tasked with singing a song from Taylor Swift’s extensive catalog, and a hit recorded by an artist from any genre who is from California.
Maroon 5, Bonnie Raitt, H.E.R., Etta James, and Billie Eilish were among the artists who received nods from the Idol contestants. But Hannah Harper was the only remaining hopeful to hit the California theme with a country cover.
Harper, who emerged as a frontrunner early in the season, chose to sing Merle Haggard’s “That’s The Way Love Goes.” Written by Lefty Frizzell, who also released his rendition in the early ’70s, the song found success with several country artists. Johnny Rodriguez released his version in 1973, followed by Connie Smith’s rendition a year later.
Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Crystal Gayle, Alan Jackson, and Ronnie Dunn all recorded “That’s The Way Love Goes,” but the song is widely considered a Merle Haggard hit.
Haggard released the tune in 1983 as the second single from the album of the same name. His rendition became his 30th number-one single and won him a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance – Male.
The song was a “four-leaf clover” for Merle, and Hannah Harper is hoping it will do the same for her.
“I’ve been throwing horseshoes
Over my left shoulder
I’ve spent most all my life
Searching for that four-leaf clover“– “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Merle Haggard
Hannah Harper’s “That’s The Way Love Goes” Performance
Earlier in Monday’s episode, Hannah Harper went back to her bluegrass roots, banjo and all, with a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Mean.”
For her second performance of the night, she slowed things down with a beautiful rendition of “That’s The Way Love Goes.” She explained that she chose the song because it honors her relationship with her husband.
“He’s out here keeping the fort down while I’m here, and it’s been hard. I’m so thankful to have someone to lean against and know that I’m not doing it all by myself,” Hannah said.
The slow melody was a perfect fit for her vocals and drew a huge response from the judges and the audience, who rewarded her with a standing ovation.
Carrie Underwood wanted a promise from Hannah that she would record “a proper version” of the Haggard hit. “It was perfect … everything about it sounded like you. It was just wonderful.”
Luke Bryan offered Hannah what was likely the biggest compliment of the night. He told her, “If you want to, you’re going to get to do this for a very long time, this singing thing. I mean, it was just…watching you be a star week in and week out is, that’s what you are. You’re a star.”
Hannah’s outstanding performance earned her a spot in next week’s Top 5! So perhaps Merle’s song was her four-leaf clover.
Watch Hannah Harper honor her husband with a Merle Haggard cover in the video below.
