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.