The Pour That Aged to Perfection: The Story Behind the Writing of “Tennessee Whiskey”

Few songs in modern country music evoke an atmosphere quite as thick, smoky, and soulful as “Tennessee Whiskey.” While most contemporary music fans immediately associate the track with Chris Stapleton’s gritty, powerhouse 2015 rendition, the song’s origins stretch back decades further into the golden era of outlaw country.

Understanding when “Tennessee Whiskey” was written requires looking back to the late 1970s and exploring the legendary songwriting partnership that brought it to life.

Written in the Late 1970s

“Tennessee Whiskey” was written in 1979 by two titans of country songwriting: Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove.

At the time, both writers were carving out names for themselves in Nashville. Dean Dillon—who would go on to write dozens of monumental hits for George Strait—was a young, struggling artist and songwriter trying to find his footing on Music Row. Linda Hargrove was an accomplished writer and performer who had already penned tunes for artists like Loretta Lynn (“Just Get Up and Close the Door”).

The Origin Story: George Jones, George Strait, and a Jam Session

The writing session itself was born out of the vibrant, sometimes chaotic creative energy of late-70s Nashville. As Dillon has often recalled, the song was originally intended for another country legend: George Strait.

Dillon and Hargrove were working together when the lyrics and bluesy chord progression started coming together. The song was explicitly pitched to a young George Strait early in his career, but for whatever reason, Strait’s camp passed on the track.

Instead, the song found its way to outlaw icon David Allan Coe.

From Page to Vinyl: The 1981 Release

Two years after it was written, “Tennessee Whiskey” was officially recorded and released by David Allan Coe for his 1981 studio album of the same name, Tennessee Whiskey.

Coe’s version leaned heavily into a traditional, honky-tonk arrangement with a swaying, blues-infused shuffle. While it didn’t become a massive crossover mainstream smash on pop charts, it struck a chord with hardcore country fans and established the song as a cult classic within the Nashville community.

The Second Pour: Chris Stapleton’s 2015 Revival

For over three decades, “Tennessee Whiskey” remained a respected deep cut in the country canon until Chris Stapleton transformed it into a global phenomenon.

When Stapleton recorded the track for his critically acclaimed debut solo album, Traveller (released in May 2015), he slowed the tempo down, injected a heavy dose of southern-rock soul inspired by Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and unleashed his world-class, gravelly vocals.

Stapleton’s version shot to the top of the charts, earned multi-Platinum certifications, and introduced Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove’s 1979 composition to an entirely new generation of music lovers.

A Timeless Legacy

From a spontaneous writing session in 1979 to a honky-tonk staple in 1981, and finally to a modern masterpiece in 2015, “Tennessee Whiskey” proves that great songwriting only gets smoother with time.