Oct 042021
 
cover '90s country

According to Spotify, ‘90s-era country music has been enjoying a resurgence among fans young fans. Since 2018, streams of the platform’s ‘90s Country playlist have gone up 150%, with a 70% increase among Gen-Z listeners (i.e. people born between the late ‘90s and early 2010s). To them, the music of the ‘90s is a product of a by-gone era.

To celebrate (or capitalize) on this trend, the Spotify Singles series released covers of three of the biggest country hits from the decade, all recorded by artists who were born in the ‘90s. Separately, an American Idol alum released her own cover of a track from the era on Instagram. Here’s a breakdown of the four covers, boots and spurs not included:

Parker McCollum – Carrying Your Love With Me (George Strait Cover)

In the ‘90s, country troubadour George Strait released 10 studio albums, a Christmas album, a box set, multiple greatest hits compilations, starred in a movie and launched his own travelling music festival. “Carrying Your Love With Me” is the title track to Strait’s 1997 triple-platinum album. It’s a mid-tempo country love song. Up-and-coming country singer Parker McCollum’s cover is a spot-on recreation of the original, as heavy on the sentiment as the steel guitar.

Breland – Strawberry Wine (Deana Carter Cover)

“Strawberry Wine” was the first single and biggest hit from Deana Carter’s debut album, Did I Shave My Legs For This? (For my money, one of the greatest album titles ever). “Strawberry Wine” tells the story of a young girl, losing her, um, innocence to a good-looking farm boy when she was 17. Country music’s answer to soft porn. Daniel Breland, who is known simply as Breland, is an African-American singer/songwriter who scored a country hit with his 2019 song “My Truck.” He delivers a cover with little less twang and a bit more soul. He does not change the lyrics. From his perspective it’s simply a tune about a girl looking back on the time she fell in love with a boy. A solid tribute to a country classic.

Tenille Arts – Wide Open Spaces (Dixie Chicks Cover)

“Wide Open Spaces” was the title track to the Dixie Chicks’ (nka The Chicks) 1998 major label debut album. The original blended elements of bluegrass and pop country. Canadian country Tenille Arts focuses heavily on bluegrass with her cover. She plays the song with heavy amounts of banjo, staying true to the Chicks’ roots.

Laci Kaye Booth – You’re Still The One (Shania Twain Cover)

“You’re Still the One” was one of the many hits from Shania Twain’s 1997 crossover smash Come On Over. The song was a power ballad that would have been equally at home on any Celine Dion or Mariah Carey record. American Idol alum turned Nashville artist Laci Kaye Booth released an acoustic cover of the track on her Instagram account, allowing her voice to do the heavy lifting.

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