About the song
“Tennessee Whiskey” is a country music classic that has been captivating audiences for decades. Written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, the song was first recorded by American country music artist David Allan Coe in 1981. Coe’s version of the song was a moderate success, but it was his fellow American country music artist George Jones who brought the song to new heights of commercial success. Jones’ version of “Tennessee Whiskey” was released in August 1983 as the third single from his album Shine On, and it reached a new peak commercially, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number one on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Since then, “Tennessee Whiskey” has become a staple of country music, with numerous artists covering the song and making it their own. From Meghan Linsey’s soulful performance on season 8 of The Voice to Deana Martin’s swinging rendition on her album Swing Street, each artist has brought their unique style and flair to the song. The song’s enduring popularity has also led to a wide range of covers, from Kris Jones’ viral YouTube video to Stan Walker and Parson James’ single release in 2017. Even pop and R&B artists have gotten in on the action, with Keke Wyatt releasing an R&B-inspired version of the song in 2017 and T-Pain covering it on his covers album On Top of the Covers in 2023.
The song’s timeless appeal can be attributed to its hauntingly beautiful melody and poignant lyrics, which tell the story of a man’s longing for his lost love. Whether it’s performed by a country music legend or a contemporary artist, “Tennessee Whiskey” is a song that continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of music lovers.
Video
Lyrics
I used to spend my nights out in a barroom
Liquor was the only love I’ve known
But you rescued me from reaching for the bottle
And you brought me back from being too far gone
You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You’re as sweet as strawberry wine
You’re as warm as a glass of brandy
And I stay stoned on your love all the time
I look for love in all the same old places
Found the bottom of the bottle always dry
But when you poured out your heart, I didn’t waste it
‘Cause there nothing like your love to gettin’ me high
You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You’re as sweet as strawberry wine
You’re as warm as a glass of brandy
And I stay stoned on your love all the time
I stay stoned on your love all the time