Billy Ray Cyrus’ Signature Hit ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ Turns 28

Billy Ray Cyrus is celebrating a major career milestone this week as his iconic hit, “Achy Breaky Heart,” turns 28….

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

March 23, 2020

Billy Ray Cyrus; Photo via YouTube

Billy Ray Cyrus is celebrating a major career milestone this week as his iconic hit, “Achy Breaky Heart,” turns 28.

Cyrus released the song on March 23, 1992 as his debut single and lead release from his album, Some Gave All. The toe-tapping tune peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1992 and garnered a GRAMMY nomination for Record Of The Year that same year.

What many fans may not realize is that the track is actually a cover song. The original version of the song was released in 1991 by The Marcy Brothers under the title “Don’t Tell My Heart.” According to reports, it was also pitched to the Oak Ridge Boys, who passed on recording it due to the fact that they didn’t like the term “achy breaky.”

Their loss was obviously Billy Ray Cyrus’ gain.

The Kentucky native’s career is still going strong 28 years later. After garnering worldwide attention for “Old Town Road” with Lil Nas X last year, Cyrus went on to win two Grammy awards in early 2020. In January, he released a new EP, The Singin’ Hills Sessions Vol. 1 Sunset, via BMG/BBR Music Group.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.