Crossover Chords: Country’s Take on Pop and Rock Classics - 2024 Week 17

Bar Talk Happy Hour

Saturday, April 27, 2024 - 15 minutes

Welcome to The Bar Talk Happy Hour, where today we’re sipping on the smooth sounds of country music’s finest as they pay homage to chart-topping hits from other genres. Here’s a toast to reinvention and the magic of a great cover song.

Luke Combs took Tracy Chapman’s introspective anthem “Fast Car” and drove it straight to the top of the country charts, proving that a good tune can cross genres and still resonate with fans.

The Chicks soared with their rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” climbing to the peak of the Adult Contemporary charts. However, their chart-topping success was short-lived following Natalie Maines’ controversial comments about George Bush.

Johnny Cash transformed Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” into a haunting reflection of his own life, leaving such an indelible mark that it’s now synonymous with his legacy.

Dwight Yoakam dared to take on Prince’s “Purple Rain,” and while many have covered this iconic track, it was Yoakam’s version that rained down on his 2016 album, standing out among the rest.

Lastly, Toby Keith joined forces with Sting for “I’m So Happy, I Can’t Stop Crying,” turning a modest hit into a country music success story.

Join us next time on The Bar Talk Happy Hour as we raise our glasses to the artists who step out of their comfort zones and into the recording booth to bring us these unforgettable renditions. Cheers! 🥂