What are your favorite country covers of non-country songs?

[Andy]

Here are a few of mine:

Toby Keith - I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Dying
(originally by Sting, from the 1996 album Mercury Falling)
Between this and "Who's That Man", Toby Keith recorded two excellent songs in the '90s about life after a divorce and the pain and mixed emotions that it brings.


Johnny Cash - Redemption Day
(originally by Sheryl Crow, from the 1996 album Sheyl Crow)
I could have gone with almost any cover from the American Recordings series of albums, but since everyone and their mother knows "Hurt", I decided to go with something that maybe not a lot of people know about. I know next to nothing about Sheryl Crow's music, but based on songs like "Soak Up the Sun", I never in a million years would have guessed she would have written something as dark and powerful as this. Give it a listen.


John Anderson - Atlantic City
(originally by Bruce Springsteen, from the 1982 album Nebraska)
A cover of one of the essential tracks from one of Bruce's most celebrated albums, this song paints a vivid, compelling picture of a crime-ridden Atlantic City. With a haunting, unforgettable chorus, it's one of both John's and Bruce's best.

[.indulgecountry]

/stan

Seriously though, Sara Evans' voice on anything is amazing, and she's done some truly fantastic non-conventional covers over the years.

[onebuffalo]

Seeing since I saluted Conway Twitty this week, I am going with his version of Rest Your Love On Me (#1 in 1981). It was written by the Bee Gees and performed by them. It was the b-side to their #1 pop hit of 1979, Too Much Heaven. Their version even hit #39 country in 1979. R.I.P. Maurice, Robin, and Conway!

[Sean]

Reba's version of Beyoncé's "If I Were A Boy" is one of my favorite of her covers. (Preferably the CMT Unplugged version compared to her studio version).




And no doubt that Johnny Cash's version of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt"!

[drummerman2009]

Any Conway Twitty song that he has covered from pop.

Slow Hand
The Rose
Heartache Tonight
Three Times A Lady

Johnny Cash's "Hurt" of course.

Dwight Yoakam's "Suspicious Minds" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

I always liked Anne Murray's version of "Daydream Believer"

Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton's version of "We've Got Tonight" that originally was a hit for its writer Bob Seger in 1978.

I also liked Emmylou Harris' version of "Save The Last Dance For Me" from 1979 as I do the Dolly Parton version from 1984.

[sabre14]

Artist: Sugarland, Little Big Town, Jake Owen
Single: "Life In A Northern Town"
Writers: Gilbert Gabriel, Nick Laid-Clowes
Album: Love On The Inside
Label: Mercury Nashville
Original Artist: The Dream Acadamy
Year Released: 2008
Mediabase Peak: #29
Billboard Peak: #28



Artist: Gary Allan
Single: "Best I Ever Had"
Writers: Matt Scannell
Album: Tough All Over
Label: MCA Nashville
Original Artist: Vertical Horizon
Year Released: May 23, 2005
Radio And Records Peak: #7
Billboard Peak: #7

[Old Fart In NC]

Blake Shelton's "Home" (originally by Michael Buble)
Reba McEntire's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" (originally by Vicki Lawrence)
Barbara Mandrell's "Angel in Your Arms" (originally by Hot)
Just about anything from Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles

And I second the former Country Historian's motion about Rest Your Love on Me.

[Todd]

My selections are decidedly older...
I like the cover songs that Sonny James did back in the 60's and 70's, which amount to over half his catalog. To narrow it down, here are two of my favorites:

Sonny James - Only The Lonely
Billboard Peak - #1 (1969)
Original Artist - Roy Orbison (1960)




Sonny James - Since I Met You Baby
Billboard Peak - #1 (1969)
Original Artist - Ivory Joe Hunter (1956)




I also like this hit from Ronnie Milsap. He's a great entertainer. I saw him live, back when he had a theater in Myrtle Beach. As you can tell from this song, and many of his other hits, he was influenced by artists in all types of music.

Ronnie Milsap - Since I Don't Have You
Billboard Peak - #7 (1991)
Original Artist - The Skyliners (1959)

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Most of my picks have already been mentioned.

Agreed on "I'm So Happy I can't Stop Crying". I've heard the original Sting version, and I think that the TK cover has more emotion even on Sting's own part.

Sara Evans improved "My Heart Can't Tell You No" and "I Could Not Ask for More", agreed.

Johnny Cash's age and shakiness added a metric buttload of weight to "Hurt". Amazing song.

Dwight Yoakam did amazing on "Suspicious Minds", which is somewhat surprising since that's also my favorite Elvis song.

Sugarland/LBT/Jake Owen did beautifully on Life in a Northern Town.

Gary's version of "Best I Ever Had" feels more emotional. I think Vertical Horizon's is kinda whiny and emo.

I also think that Jack Ingram did great on "Lips of an Angel". The original by Hinder is way too harsh and gruff, but Jack cools it down and reveals the truly country song underneath.

Another one for me is Garth Brooks covering Billy Joel's "Shameless". Easily in my Top 5 Garth songs.

====

I thought that Beyoncé was way too old for "If I Were a Boy", but Reba? Way, way, way, WAAAAAAY too old. That's even worse than Tim still lookin' for that girl at 46. IMO it's a bland, bad song no matter who sings it.

[Markus Meyer]

Mar 27, 2014 19:09:13 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

Artist: Sugarland, Little Big Town, Jake Owen
Single: "Life In A Northern Town"
Writers: Gilbert Gabriel, Nick Laid-Clowes
Album: Love On The Inside
Label: Mercury Nashville
Original Artist: The Dream Acadamy
Year Released: 2008
Mediabase Peak: #29
Billboard Peak: #28

Completely forgot about this one, amazing song.


Some others:

[drummerman2009]

Mar 27, 2014 20:19:33 GMT -5 Old Fart In NC said:

Blake Shelton's "Home" (originally by Michael Buble)
Reba McEntire's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" (originally by Brook Benton)
Barbara Mandrell's "Angel in Your Arms" (I gorget the original artist)
Just about anything from Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles

And I second the former Country Historian's motion about Rest Your Love on Me.

Actually it was Vicki Lawrence who had the first hit with "The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia" not Brook Benton.

But since Brook Benton's name has come up, I like Randy Travis' and Sonny James' versions of "It's Just A Matter of Time" and Sonny's version of "Endlessly".

Also loved the video of "Rainy Night In Georgia" with Conway Twitty and Sam Moore and the 1974 version of the song by Hank Williams Jr.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

My computer completely craps out on threads like this. It took nearly three minutes to load this page.

Also, Landslide is one of the most boring songs I've ever heard, regardless of who sings it. Yawn.

[Marv]

What was arguably the biggest payoff for recording a pop single and turning it into a smash at country radio would have to go to Brooks And Dunn, who took a #1 Top 40 smash from 1973 by B. W. Stevenson and wound up with the #1 country single of the year in 1996 with 'My Maria'.

[countryfan15]

Garth Brooks- To Make You Feel My Love

Jack Ingram- Lips Of An Angel

Mark Wills- Don't Laugh At Me, Almost Doesn't Count

Dwight Yoakam- Suspicious Minds

Little Texas- Peaceful Easy Feeling

[.indulgecountry]

I definitely second the mention of "Landslide." The original is fine, but the Dixie Chicks made it even better. That song was never one of my favorite DC songs, though I gained new-found appreciation for the track after picking it for my father's funeral when he passed away last month (he was a fan of both Fleetwood Max and Dixie Chicks). I will forever have a special connection to it now. It's a truly beautiful song and a stunning vocal performance.

[Old Fart In NC]

Mar 27, 2014 20:53:45 GMT -5 drummerman2009 said:

Mar 27, 2014 20:19:33 GMT -5 Old Fart In NC said:

Blake Shelton's "Home" (originally by Michael Buble)
Reba McEntire's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" (originally by Brook Benton)
Barbara Mandrell's "Angel in Your Arms" (I gorget the original artist)
Just about anything from Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles

And I second the former Country Historian's motion about Rest Your Love on Me.

Actually it was Vicki Lawrence who had the first hit with "The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia" not Brook Benton.

But since Brook Benton's name has come up, I like Randy Travis' and Sonny James' versions of "It's Just A Matter of Time" and Sonny's version of "Endlessly".

Also loved the video of "Rainy Night In Georgia" with Conway Twitty and Sam Moore and the 1974 version of the song by Hank Williams Jr.

Ah, right. I got my Georgia night songs confused. And I remember that it was a group called Hot that had the pop hit with "Angel in Your Arms."

A few years before Randy Travis' version Glen Campbell also had a Top 10 hit (#7 on Billboard) with "It's Just a Matter of Time."

[ky24941]

Here's my picks:

Anne Murray - "Daydream Believer" (original by The Monkees)
Anne Murray - "Walk Right Back" (original by The Everly Brothers)
Brooks & Dunn - "My Maria" (original by B. W. Stevenson)
Faith Hill - "Come Home" (original by OneRepublic)
Johnny Cash - "Hurt" (original by Nine Inch Nails)
Mark Chesnutt - "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" (original by Aerosmith)
The McCarters - "Better Be Home Soon" (original by Crowded House)
Reba McEntire - "Fancy" (original by Bobbie Gentry)
Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson - "Because of You" (original by Kelly Clarkson)

[sabre14]

Mar 27, 2014 21:22:48 GMT -5 Marv said:

What was arguably the biggest payoff for recording a pop single and turning it into a smash at country radio would have to go to Brooks And Dunn, who took a #1 Top 40 smash from 1973 by B. W. Stevenson and wound up with the #1 country single of the year in 1996with 'My Maria'.

S

See what I mean. ;) This song is everywhere. I just can't avoid it, which is why I dislike "My Maria". Maybe the most undeserving song to receive #1 single of the year honors.

But I'm clearly in the minority.

[.indulgecountry]

Rissi Palmer's cover of "No Air" is wonderful.



The original "Use Somebody" is pretty terrible, and Maggie Rose has a great voice. You do the math there.

[sabre14]

Anybody remember when Big & Rich decided to record a country version of.....wait for it....."You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC?

[14887fan]

[Typo]

Carrie Underwood - "Praying For Time"

Probably my all-time favorite performance of Carrie's. The way she chokes up on that final "cause he has no children left to come back for" line always gets to me. </3

[sabre14]

Mar 27, 2014 21:59:46 GMT -5 countryfan15 said:

Mark Wills- Don't Laugh At Me, Almost Doesn't Count

What no "Back At One"? ;)

Original Artist: Brian McKnight
Cover: Mark Wills
Billboard Peak: #2



BTW: Brian McKnight born in Buffalo, NY

[countryfan15]

Mar 27, 2014 23:12:50 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

Mar 27, 2014 21:59:46 GMT -5 countryfan15 said:

Mark Wills- Don't Laugh At Me, Almost Doesn't Count

What no "Back At One"? ;)

Original Artist: Brian McKnight
Cover: Mark Wills
Billboard Peak: #2



BTW: Brian McKnight born in Buffalo, NY

No for some reason i have always found both versions very bland haha. His vocals are really what soar on "Almost Doesn't Count" but still a good song. Seems for a few albums there Mark decided to release cover songs with those three almost being back to back! Let's also not forget his version of 98 Degrees "I Do(Cherish You)", which also was played to death along with "My Maria" ;)

[tim]

Hands down one my favorites (other than Suspicious Minds) that I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned. I was slightly obsessed with this song back then (it spent the entire month of January at the top if I'm correct...and then some in 1997). Kevin's Measure of A Man is also an album I would highly recommend (remember the great "She's Sure Taking It Well?!?").

[countryfan15]

Mar 27, 2014 23:29:46 GMT -5 tim said:

Hands down one my favorites (other than Suspicious Minds) that I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned. I was slightly obsessed with this song back then (it spent the entire month of January at the top if I'm correct...and then some in 1997). Kevin's Measure of A Man is also an album I would highly recommend (remember the great "She's Sure Taking It Well?!?").

I can't believe i forgot all about this one. And yes! "She's Sure Taking It Well" is an amazingly good song that seems to be all but forgotten. Should have been a number 1 as well imo.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Mar 27, 2014 21:59:46 GMT -5 countryfan15 said:

Mark Wills- Don't Laugh At Me

This one wasn't a cover. Were you perhaps thinking of another song?

I think Trent Summar & the New Row Mob did a great job on Albert Hammond's "It Never Rains in Southern California", myself. That synth string riff is great.

[zaclord 🌈]

[countryfan15]

Mar 28, 2014 12:54:47 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Mar 27, 2014 21:59:46 GMT -5 countryfan15 said:

Mark Wills- Don't Laugh At Me

This one wasn't a cover. Were you perhaps thinking of another song?

I think Trent Summar & the New Row Mob did a great job on Albert Hammond's "It Never Rains in Southern California", myself. That synth string riff is great.

Oops i thought Peter, Paul and Mary had this song out before Mark but they actually covered it thereselves in 1999. Right song i just had my years mixed up.

[Old Fart In NC]

A few others I've thought of:
Anne Murray, "Danny's Song" and "A Love Song" (both originally by Loggins & Messina).
Willie Nelson, "City of New Orleans" (originally by Arlo Guthrie).
Moe Bandy and Suzy Bogguss both had country hits with "Someday Soon" (originally by Ian & Sylvia; Judy Collins' version is probably the best known). I like both country versions but I like Suzy Boggus' version more.
Statler Brothers, "Moments to Remember" (originally by The Four Lads, a Canadian quartet, in 1955). I don't believe it was ever on a Statler Brothers studio album, but they performed it during their farewell concert and it was included on the CD from the concert.