When Was Tennessee Whiskey Written? The Story Behind the Song

The Story Behind “Tennessee Whiskey”: Writing, History, and Evolution

Few songs in modern music carry the smooth, smoky, timeless atmosphere of “Tennessee Whiskey.” While many listeners today instantly associate the track with Chris Stapleton’s blockbuster 2015 rendition, the actual creation of the song dates back decades earlier.

When Was It Written and Released?

“Tennessee Whiskey” was written by legendary country songwriters Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove. While the exact month of its composition is part of Nashville lore, the song was officially published and released in 1981.

The track was first recorded by outlaw country artist David Allan Coe for his 1981 studio album of the same name. Coe’s version leaned into a traditional, honky-tonk style and managed a respectable peak at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

The Journey to Success: George Jones

Though Coe introduced the song to the world, it wasn’t until a couple of years later that “Tennessee Whiskey” truly found its footing as a country standard.

In August 1983, legendary vocalist George Jones released his own version of the song for his album Shine On. Produced by Billy Sherrill, Jones’s version transformed the track into a massive hit, propelling it all the way to number 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Jones’s soulful delivery made it a permanent fixture of his live shows, where he would frequently swap out the word “Tennessee” for whatever city he happened to be performing in.

The Modern Masterpiece: Chris Stapleton

The song’s incredible multi-decade journey reached an entirely new stratosphere in 2015.