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“Tennessee Whiskey” is a song written in 1981 by Dean Dillon andLinda Hargrove. However, the song was sung by several singers. The song basically described the love and gratitude of the love partner, and her presence filled all the spaces that alcohol can’t fill.
The song “Tennessee Whiskey” was composed in 1981 by Linda Hargrove andDean Dillon. After meeting at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe, the two decided to collaborate on a song. He had been working on the song idea for a while, so at four in the morning, they returned to Hargrove’s place to finish the tune.
The original track belongs to the title album “Tennessee Whiskey”by David Allan Coe who sang the song in 1981. The song reached a high ranking on theBillboardCountry Music Chart andCMA Awards.
Let’s read more about the song.
Writers of the Song
Dean Dillon, specifically known as the American singer and songwriter born in 1955 in Tennessee. He pursued his musical career at a very early age. By the years of 1982 till 1993, Dean threw multiple singles and released various albums.
Besides singing, he wrote several songs for other artists. Dean’s popular work includesOcean Front Property, If I Know Me, Lead On, The Best Day, and so on. Specifically, Dean wrote almost 55 songs only for George Strait.
No music, no life
Linda Hargrove, born in Florida in 1949, was an American country music director and lyrics writer. She is popular as The Blue Jean Country Queen as she mostly wore jeans and did not care about makeup while performing and recording on the set.
Linda penned a variety of songs for other singers of her time. She also worked on gospel albums in the means of religion. Her famous work is based onLet It Shine, Just Get Up and Close the Door, Blue Jean Country Queen, and others.
“Tennessee Whiskey” is the famous song
Singers of the Song
The song was sung three times by three different singers. It was sung byDavid Allan Coefor the very first time in 1981. David is a profound member of the Outlaw Country Movement. It ranked 77th on the Billboard Country Music chart.
After two years, the song was remade and sung byGeorge Jonesin 1983. He included the song in his album,Shine On. However, that version was more popular than the previous one among the audience and fans. It gained a higher ranking on the Billboard chart.
Later in 2015, after many years,Chris Stapletontook advantage and included a new version of the “Tennessee Whiskey” song in his debut album,Traveller. Stapleton sang the song on many stage performances, and his fans enjoyed a lot the new re-imagined version of “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Music is the power
“Tennessee Whiskey” is a Song of Showing Gratitude
In reality, some songs have depth through emotional lyrics, solo classical themes, and the voice of the artist. “Tennessee Whiskey” is one of them. If we discuss the lyrics, they show how the speaker feels and try to tell us his feelings after meeting his love of life. He also tried to tell the audience how his life was before his lover came into his life, and where he wasted his emotions and feelings.
In addition, the starting lines represent that before the love, he was at the bottom of his life, which simply meant that he tried to escape his love emotions behind the whiskey and alcohol. On the other hand, he was at his lowest in his life and faced the ups and downs of life before her.
Furthermore, the song transforms into a deeper and more emotional scenario in the next stanzas. After talking about life experiences, emotions, and feelings, the speaker talks about his lover’s presence as the whiskey.
He described that she is like whiskey like he forgets all of his sorrows and pain in the presence of his lover or after drinking whiskey. He tried to relate his love and whiskey together.
As the person becomes addicted to alcohol, as same the speaker relates the addiction to alcohol and love in the same way. He showed and explained the power of love and intimacy in the later stanzas.
In the last few lines, the speaker again describes love and a bottle of whiskey, but at the end, he says that after the bottle got empty the taste and feelings of addiction disappeared. However, the love remained at the end. The writer beautifully mixed love and alcohol addiction and also described the power of love.
A collection of songs
Composition of the Song “Tennessee Whiskey”
The song is composed on the basis of the powerful redemption of love and intimacy, full of emotions and high metaphors. The speaker compared the rhythm of applying flow and also made a beautiful combination to make the audience understand his feelings and loneliness.
The lyrics emphasize the true gratitude of having such deep love that fulfilled the needs of a human being and filled all the spaces no one could fill.
“Tennessee Whiskey” Versions
David Allan Coe Version
George Jones Version
Chris Stapleton Version
The first version of the song was sung by David Allan in 1981.
It was the second version, released two years after the first release in 1983.
The last and most popular version of “Tennessee Whiskey” was released in 2015.
After writing the song, the duo decided to sing the song by George Strait, but he didn’t finalize it.
Jones included as the third single in his albumShine On.
Chris Stapleton heard the song in the 20s and decided to remake the song.
Later, the song was sung by David Allan Coe in a traditional style with a controversial theme.
The song touched number 2 on the Billboard and number one on Canada Country Track Chart.
The band tried the song when they were checking the soundtrack before the live concert.
As a matter of fact, the song itself has a meaningful lyric that reveals the true emotions of the lover for his addicted love.
“Tennessee Whiskey” is basically a blue song, but Jones’s meaningful sound made it unique with traditional style.
Chris’s version ranked at number 23 on the Billboard Country Music Chart, certified platinum byRIAA, and peaked at no.1 on the Hot Country Music chart.
Chris and the band decided to perform the song in every live performance they participate
Stapleton’s soulful voice, with outstanding instrumentation and soaring melody, created a noticeable sound that attracted its fans.
The three versions of the song
Let’s watch Teddy Swims’ Tennessee Whiskey.
Conclusion
“Tennessee Whiskey” is the masterpiece of its time, consisting of soulful ballads and vivid imagery.
The song gives a true picture of the love and emotional intimacy that the speaker feels for his partner.
“Tennessee Whiskey” was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove in 1981.
Interestingly, the song was sung by three country singers at different times, including David Allan Coe, George Jones, and Chris Stapleton.
The song is a beloved and classical piece of the country music industry that compelled the audience to feel the power of love and addiction.
Last Updated: May 4, 2024
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