"Whiskey River" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Johnny Bush. It was a hit for both Bush and his friend Willie Nelson.
"Whiskey River" | ||||
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Single by Johnny Bush | ||||
from the album Whiskey River | ||||
B-side | "Right Back in Your Arms Again"[1] | |||
Released | July 1972 (1972-07) | |||
Genre | Country, roots country | |||
Length | 2:32 | |||
Label | RCA Victor #0745 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Johnny Bush Paul Stroud | |||
Producer(s) | Jerry Bradley | |||
Johnny Bush singles chronology | ||||
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"Whiskey River" | ||||
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Single by Willie Nelson | ||||
from the album Willie and Family Live | ||||
B-side | "Under the Double Eagle"[2] | |||
Released | 1978 | |||
Genre | Country, Outlaw Country, roots country | |||
Length | 3:32 | |||
Label | Columbia #10877 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Johnny Bush Paul Stroud | |||
Producer(s) | Willie Nelson | |||
Willie Nelson singles chronology | ||||
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Bush released the song in 1972 through RCA Victor and included it on his album Whiskey River. Bush later re-recorded the song in 1981 and released it through the Delta label, with "When My Conscience Hurts the Most" on the b-side.[1]
Willie Nelson first recorded "Whiskey River" for the album Shotgun Willie in 1973. In 1978, a recording from Nelson's live album Willie and Family Live was released as a single through Columbia Records.[2] "Whiskey River", despite not being a Nelson original, has come to be regarded as one of his signature songs[3][4] and a concert staple.
Nelson performed the song during the pilot episode of the long-running music television series Austin City Limits—marking the first song to be performed on the program.[5]
Chart (1972) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 14 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 7 |
Chart (1981) | Peak position |
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 92 |
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 12 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 3 |
Willie Nelson's version of the song is featured in Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V game soundtrack [8]
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