This song by Keith Whitley reached number one in 1988, less than one year before Whitley's tragic and untimely death. The suddenness of Whitley's passing, as well as the integrity of the song later made it a top five hit for another popular folk band in the nineties, Alison Krauss and Union Station. Later, in 1999, an Irish vocalist named Ronan Keating breathed new life into the song once again by recording it as part of the soundtrack for the movie "Notting Hill," which starred Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Willie Nelson is an iconic figure enshrined in American folklore, particularly country music tradition. He is one of the handful of country artists who enjoys popularity among listeners who may not generally be country music fans. This song has been recorded more than 300 times by music legends like Elvis Presley. Nelson recorded it in 1982.
Dolly Parton, who originally recorded and wrote this song, is a country music legend with her own theme park. Well known to fans within and outside of country music, Dolly Parton has enjoyed a number of hits throughout her career including another hugely popular eighties duet with Kenny Rogers called "Islands in the Stream." Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1974 and remade it in 1982. The song gained unprecedented popularity when Pop artist Whitney Houston crooned it as part of the soundtrack for the movie "The Bodyguard" in 1992 which starred Houston and actor Kevin Costner. In 1995, Parton re-recorded her original hit as a duet with Vince Gill and the song became popular once again.
Lee Greenwood wrote and performed this top 10 hit in 1984 which then enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in popularity after the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. When American troops invaded Iraq two years later, the song became popular yet again and enjoyed play on radio stations throughout the United States.
A classic hit by country star George Jones, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" won a Grammy award, an American Country Music (ACM) award and a Country Music Association (CMA) "Song of the Year" award in 1980 and 1981. It was a tragic love ballad that enjoyed immense popularity and acclaim.