Ramblin' Fever was released in 1977 by MCA Records, produced by Ken Nelson. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, solidifying Merle Haggard as a central figure in traditional country music.
The title track, 'Ramblin' Fever', became a number 1 hit on the country singles chart, and the album includes other original Haggard compositions such as 'If We're Not Back in Love by Monday' and 'The Way It Was in '51'.
The record reflects Haggard's signature style, blending honky-tonk, ballads, and road themes, with the collaboration of his band The Strangers. It was certified gold by the RIAA in 1978.