Covers. They’ll always be an integral part of music and the preservation of classic songs as time passes. Whether it’s country or any other genre, covers will always be around, serving as a bridge between the songs of yesteryear and the artists of today.
From Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” to Reba’s “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia,” here are 15 songs you didn’t know were covers.
Tennessee Whiskey
Original artist: David Allan Coe
Made famous by: Chris Stapleton
Before Chris Stapleton made “Tennessee Whiskey” the certified classic it is today in 2015, the track was a middling single for David Allan Coe, only reaching #77 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs in 1981.
Two years later, however, George Jones found success with the song, reaching #2 in 1983. For years, the song was primarily associated with Jones until Stapleton’s 14x platinum version of the song became the version many associate the song with.
Dirt Road Anthem
Original artist: Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert
Made famous by: Jason Aldean
For hardcore fans of both Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert, the fact that Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” was originally written and recorded by the duo seems like a no-brainer. However, casual fans of the song typically do not know that it was recorded back in 2008 by the pair.
While at a show together, Ford prompted Aldean to cut a version of the song, and the rest, as they say, is history. Aldean’s cover of “Dirt Road Anthem” went on to go 4x platinum and is the best-selling song in digital history by a male country solo artist in the U.S.
Amarillo By Morning
Original artist: Terry Stafford
Made famous by: George Strait
It’s no stretch to say that “Amarillo By Morning” is one of the most iconic country songs of all time by the most successful artist in the genre’s history. It comes as a surprise to many that the song itself is not an original of Strait’s.
The track was first written and recorded by Terry Stafford in 1973 before Strait popularized it in 1982 when it appeared on his platinum record, Strait from the Heart.
My Maria
Original artist: B.W. Stevenson
Made famous by: Brooks & Dunn
One of the most iconic nineties country and Brooks & Dunn tracks is actually a cover of B.W. Stevenson’s 1973 hit that went #1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart.
The legendary duo made “My Maria” a certified classic when they released it back in March of 1996. Their version would go #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and also win them their second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Vocal Group or Duo in 1997.
Fancy
Original artist: Bobby Gentry
Made famous by: Reba
When Bobby Gentry released “Fancy” back in 1969, it was a success for the singer/songwriter. The track would go #1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart and peak at #8 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
When Reba recorded the song in 1991, however, the song became a certified country classic. Her cover of “Fancy” only peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart; however, it remains one of her most popular songs today. It is currently certified 2x platinum by the RIAA.
Wagon Wheel
Original artist: Old Crow Medicine Show
Made famous by: Darius Rucker
The history of “Wagon Wheel” is extremely complicated and is worth its own article by itself. The song itself was written by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show as an extension of an unreleased Bob Dylan song that he found.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s version of the song is relatively successful, selling over three million units and being recognized as the band’s signature song.
Rucker’s version success, however, is not comparable. The “Alright” singer scored a Grammy win for Best Country Solo Performance in 2014. Even more notably, his version sold over 10 million units, making it one of the few country songs in history to be certified diamond by the RIAA.
Always On My Mind
Original artists: Gwen McRae
Made famous by: Willie Nelson
“Always On My Mind” is widely regarded as not only one of Willie Nelson’s best songs but one of the best country songs of all time. Despite being so closely associated with the legendary singer/songwriter’s career, the track was not written by Nelson.
The track was actually recorded by the legendary soul singer, Gwen McRae in 1972. McRae’s version never experienced much success and was later popularized by both Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee.
Nelson’s version, however, has remained the most popular version of the song, netting him three Grammy wins in 1983 as well as two CMA Song of the Year wins in 1982 and 1983. His version was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
Hurt
Original artist: Nine Inch Nails
Made famous by: Johnny Cash
It’s not often that the original artist of a song openly admits that a cover is not only better than the original but also the definitive version of the song, but that is exactly what happened with Johnny Cash’s 2002 cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”
Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor, said in an interview with the Associated Press, “That song isn’t mine anymore.”
Cash went on to win Single of the Year at the 2003 as well as a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2004.
Cover Me Up
Original artist: Jason Isbell
Made famous by: Morgan Wallen
To say this song/cover is a controversial topic would be an understatement. For many (including myself), “Cover Me Up” is one of the greatest songs in Jason Isbell’s extensive discography. With that being said, however, many mainstream country listeners know the song better as a Morgan Wallen cover.
Regardless of your thoughts on the cover itself, you can’t argue with the fact that Wallen popularized the song to a mainstream audience, garnering over 440 million streams on Spotify alone as of writing. Wallen’s version of the song is currently certified 4x platinum.
Ol’ Red
Original artist: George Jones
Made famous by: Blake Shelton
Before it became one of Blake Shelton’s early hits, “Ol’ Red” was originally a George Jones deep cut on his 1990 album, You Oughta Be Here with Me. Kenny Rogers also covered the song on his 1993 album, If Only My Heart Had a Voice.
Shelton’s version is easily the most popular version of the song til today, even becoming the name of his bar in Nashville.
The Gambler
Original artist: Bobby Bare
Made famous by: Kenny Rogers
Before “The Gambler” became the most recognizable song in Kenny Rogers’ discography, the song was written independently by legendary songwriter, Don Schiltz and was first recorded by Bobby Bare.
The Man in Black himself recorded the song just months before Rogers’ version in 1978 but did not receive much success. It was Rogers that truly made the song a classic. “The Gambler” would eventually be a #1 hit for the “Islands In the Stream” singer and even spawn a movie series.
It’s a Great Day to be Alive
Original artist: Darrell Scott
Made famous by: Travis Tritt
Before Travis Tritt popularized the song in 2000, “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” was written and recorded by Darrell Scott on his 1997 album, Aloha from Nashville. Scott’s version would never be released as a single.
Tritt’s version peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and has remained one of the most popular songs in his discography.
Home
Original artist: Michael Bublé
Made famous by: Blake Shelton
In the case of “Home,” it’s hard to argue that Shelton truly made the song famous given that Bublé not only went #1 in the U.S., but also in Canada on Adult Contemporary charts. However, if we’re strictly speaking about country music, one can argue that Shelton made the song popular in the genre.
Shelton’s version reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA.
The pair eventually released a duet of the song in its Christmas re-release on Shelton’s 2012 Christmas album, Cheers, It’s Christmas
Travelin’ Solider
Original artist: Bruce Robinson
Made famous by: Dixie Chicks
“Travelin’ Soldier” is widely recognized as one of the Dixie Chicks’ most popular songs, second only to “Wide Open Spaces.” The iconic track was actually independently written and recorded by Bruce Robinson in 1996 before the trio released their cover in 2002.
The Dixie Chick’s version would go #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and is currently certified platinum.
The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia
Original artist: Vicki Lawerence
Made famous by: Reba
“The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia” is often considered one of Reba’s most iconic songs, but it was actually recorded twenty years before by Vicki Lawerence in 1972. Lawrence’s version was actually incredibly successful, netting her a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and a certified gold record.
Despite its success, Reba’s version has become the most popular version of the song