In 1981, Haggard published an autobiography, "Sing Me Back Home". The same year, he alternately spoke and sang the ballad "The Man in the Mask." Written by Dean Pitchford, whose other work includes "Fame," "Footloose," "Sing," "Solid Gold," and the musical "Carrie", this was the combined narration and theme for the movie "The Legend of the Lone Ranger", a box-office flop. Haggard also changed record labels again in 1981, moving to Epic and releasing one of his most critically acclaimed albums, "Big City", on which he was backed by The Strangers.