title: I Had a Beautiful Time
text: # 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.
  
  ## 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) | 5 |
  | Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |
  