Music Metrics Vault

Keith Whitley

Data updated on 2025-02-19 11:53:23 UTC
Keith Whitley was a country music legend whose emotive voice and timeless songs made him one of the genre's most beloved artists. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, and raised in nearby Sandy Hook, Whitley began his career in bluegrass as a teenager, performing with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys alongside future country star Ricky Skaggs. His deep roots in bluegrass shaped his authentic sound, blending traditional country with heartfelt storytelling.

In the 1980s, Whitley transitioned to mainstream country, releasing a string of classic albums, including L.A. to Miami and Don’t Close Your Eyes. Hits like "When You Say Nothing at All," "I’m No Stranger to the Rain," and "Don’t Close Your Eyes" showcased his rich, expressive voice and emotional depth, earning him critical acclaim and chart-topping success.

Tragically, Whitley’s career was cut short in 1989 when he passed away at just 34, but his influence endures. His music continues to inspire generations of country artists, and his songs remain a testament to the power of honesty and vulnerability in storytelling. Keith Whitley’s legacy is one of artistry, authenticity, and timeless impact.

Genres

: country traditional country

Total plays

427.1 million
Updated on 2025-02-19

Country

United States

Social media links

Monthly listeners

1,745,747

Followers

521,989

Top Cities

  1. United States
    53,381 listeners
  2. United States
    37,920 listeners
  3. United States
    32,769 listeners
  4. United States
    35,136 listeners
  5. United States
    26,772 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
When You Say Nothing at All
When You Say Nothing at All
92,746,170 3:44 1984-01-01
Don't Close Your Eyes
Don't Close Your Eyes
84,852,457 4:13 1984-01-01
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
45,650,744 3:35 1984-01-01
I'm Over You
I'm Over You
36,487,950 3:03 1984-01-01
Miami, My Amy
Miami, My Amy
36,340,389 3:27 1984-01-01
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
11,327,924 3:48 1984-01-01
Ten Feet Away
Ten Feet Away
7,736,426 3:22 1984-01-01
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
7,337,765 2:58 1990-01-01
Kentucky Bluebird
Kentucky Bluebird
7,232,003 3:40 1991-09-01
Brotherly Love
Brotherly Love
6,986,486 3:16 1984-01-01
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
5,805,965 3:01 1990-08-07
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
5,747,715 3:32 1990-01-01
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
5,747,715 3:30 1984-01-01
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
5,531,892 2:27 1985-10-01
It Ain't Nothin'
It Ain't Nothin'
4,844,581 4:05 1984-01-01
Homecoming '63
Homecoming '63
4,361,232 3:01 1984-01-01
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
4,268,404 3:16 1984-01-01
Brother Jukebox
Brother Jukebox
3,168,387 2:47 1989-07-01
Between an Old Memory and Me
Between an Old Memory and Me
2,826,103 3:20 1989-07-01
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
2,651,380 4:29 1988-05-30
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
2,628,459 3:28 1984-01-01
On the Other Hand
On the Other Hand
2,299,456 3:12 1985-10-01
Joseph and Mary's Boy
Joseph and Mary's Boy
2,245,860 4:08 2024-05-29
Hard Livin'
Hard Livin'
1,933,911 2:56 1984-01-01
Sad Songs And Waltzes
Sad Songs And Waltzes
1,886,244 3:06 2000-09-12
Charlotte's In North Carolina
Charlotte's In North Carolina
1,778,860 2:60 1994-01-01
Dance With Me Molly
Dance With Me Molly
1,529,018 3:50 2000-09-12
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
1,515,763 2:50 1988-05-30
To Be Loved By A Woman
To Be Loved By A Woman
1,436,510 4:08 2000-09-12
I Just Want You
I Just Want You
1,396,604 3:32 1994-01-01
Talk to Me Texas
Talk to Me Texas
1,396,564 3:32 1989-07-01
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
1,314,632 3:13 1984-01-01
Wildwood Flower
Wildwood Flower
1,217,958 3:04 2005-04-19
Turn Me to Love
Turn Me to Love
1,109,032 3:28 1984-01-01
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
1,047,926 2:55 1988-05-30
Quittin' Time
Quittin' Time
1,017,291 2:55 1985-10-01
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
903,588 3:10 2000-09-12
Honky Tonk Heart
Honky Tonk Heart
903,287 3:08 1988-05-30
A Day In The Life Of A Fool - Single (2002 remaster)
A Day In The Life Of A Fool - Single (2002 remaster)
876,808 3:41 1988-05-30
Tennessee Courage
Tennessee Courage
785,420 4:00 1989-07-01
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
767,565 2:36 2005-04-19
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
764,143 3:03 1996-06-18
The Comeback Kid
The Comeback Kid
735,150 3:34 1994-01-01
Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With?
Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With?
690,588 2:57 2000-09-12
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
568,787 3:37 2000-09-12
I Get the Picture
I Get the Picture
563,294 2:55 1985-10-01
Dream of a Miner's Child
Dream of a Miner's Child
560,828 2:24 2005-04-19
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down - Remastered Single Version
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down - Remastered Single Version
540,359 2:47 2002-03-04
Backbone Job
Backbone Job
532,925 2:43 1991-09-01
I've Got the Heart for You
I've Got the Heart for You
522,602 2:38 1985-10-01
Lucky Dog - Single Version
Lucky Dog - Single Version
519,314 1:59 1988-05-30
If You Think I'm Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid)
If You Think I'm Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid)
486,403 2:40 1996-06-18
Heartbreak Highway
Heartbreak Highway
472,429 2:56 1989-07-01
I Want My Rib Back
I Want My Rib Back
469,344 2:58 1991-09-01
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
459,523 3:15 1991-09-01
I'm Losing You All Over Again
I'm Losing You All Over Again
457,881 4:11 1996-01-05
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
455,409 2:29 2000-09-12
I Never Go Around Mirrors
I Never Go Around Mirrors
430,505 3:19 2000-09-12
Flying Colors
Flying Colors
405,328 3:35 1988-05-30
Living Like There's No Tomorrow (Finally Got to Me Tonight)
Living Like There's No Tomorrow (Finally Got to Me Tonight)
402,782 3:29 1996-06-18
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
401,680 3:25 2000-09-12
All I Ever Loved Was You
All I Ever Loved Was You
399,351 3:13 2005-04-19
That Stuff
That Stuff
394,289 3:22 1985-10-01
Lady's Choice
Lady's Choice
365,939 2:37 1989-07-01
Turn This Thing Around
Turn This Thing Around
306,735 3:30 1989-07-01
Memories Of Mother
Memories Of Mother
276,933 2:56 2005-04-19
My Deceitful Heart
My Deceitful Heart
253,083 2:17 2005-04-19
Don't Our Love Look Natural
Don't Our Love Look Natural
237,850 3:08 1996-06-18
Somewhere Between
Somewhere Between
225,371 4:15 2000-09-12
Poor Monroe
Poor Monroe
206,399 2:28 2005-04-19
A Hard Act To Follow
A Hard Act To Follow
200,275 2:37 1996-06-18
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
180,579 3:23 2000-09-12
Going Home
Going Home
163,314 3:57 1991-09-01
Long Black Limousine
Long Black Limousine
153,228 3:35 2000-09-12
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
141,055 3:06 1996-06-18
Another Town
Another Town
135,089 2:28 2000-09-12
Sea Of Regret
Sea Of Regret
134,731 2:52 2005-04-19
Girl From The Canyon
Girl From The Canyon
128,300 2:22 2000-09-12
Those Two Blue Eyes
Those Two Blue Eyes
127,231 2:01 2005-04-19
Daybreak In Dixie
Daybreak In Dixie
115,710 2:06 2005-04-19
Family Tree
Family Tree
96,432 3:03 2000-09-12
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
85,183 2:58 2005-04-19
Son Of Hobert
Son Of Hobert
84,188 2:50 2005-04-19
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
80,355 3:29 2012-11-18
You Win Again
You Win Again
70,511 0:56 1991-09-01
Don't Cheat in Our Hometown (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley)
Don't Cheat in Our Hometown (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley)
61,528 2:51 2012-11-18
Stone Walls and Steel Bars (feat. Marty Stuart & Keith Whitley) [Live]
Stone Walls and Steel Bars (feat. Marty Stuart & Keith Whitley) [Live]
48,949 1:23 2010-07-26
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
40,875 3:11 1991-09-01
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
27,824 2:20 2004-01-01
Water Rolls High
Water Rolls High
27,139 1:27 2010-07-26
Take Me Back
Take Me Back
26,871 1:59 2004-01-01
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
26,567 1:10 1991-09-01
A Christmas Letter
A Christmas Letter
24,223 3:41 1985-09-03
American Country Countdown Interview
American Country Countdown Interview
23,142 0:34 1991-09-01
Ralph Emery Interview
Ralph Emery Interview
21,569 0:42 1991-09-01
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Light at the End of the Tunnel
18,251 3:09 1996-01-05
Daddy Loved Trains
Daddy Loved Trains
16,277 3:01 1996-01-05
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
15,620 3:03 1996-01-05
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
13,398 2:56 1996-01-05
Wherever You Are Tonight
Wherever You Are Tonight
12,950 3:21 1996-01-05
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
11,955 3:59 1996-01-05
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
11,242 2:55 1996-01-05
Buck
Buck
8,710 3:02 1996-01-05
Leave Well Enough Alone
Leave Well Enough Alone
8,602 3:45 1996-01-05
Rock Bottom
Rock Bottom
5,632 2:52 2004-01-01
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
4,921 2:37 2004-01-01
Till a Tear Becomes a Rose - Karaoke Version In the Style of Lorrie Morgan
Till a Tear Becomes a Rose - Karaoke Version In the Style of Lorrie Morgan
4,668 3:22 2010-12-04

New releases

The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
2015-10-02
[RLG/Legacy]
Second Generation
Second Generation
2005-04-19
[Rebel Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2003-09-09
[RLG/BMG Heritage]
RCA Country Legends
RCA Country Legends
2002-03-04
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
RCA Country Legends
RCA Country Legends
2002-03-04
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Sad Songs And Waltzes
Sad Songs And Waltzes
2000-09-12
[Rounder]
The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
1996-08-12
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
1996-06-18
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Super Hits
Super Hits
1996-05-21
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Wherever You Are Tonight
Wherever You Are Tonight
1996-01-05
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
A Tribute Album
A Tribute Album
1994-09-27
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
A Tribute Album
A Tribute Album
1994-01-01
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Kentucky Bluebird
Kentucky Bluebird
1991-09-01
[RCA/Legacy]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1990-08-07
[RCA Records Label]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1990-01-01
[RLG/BMG Heritage]
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
1989-07-01
[RCA/Legacy]
Don't Close Your Eyes
Don't Close Your Eyes
1988-05-30
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
L.A. to Miami
L.A. to Miami
1985-10-01
[RCA/Legacy]
A Christmas Letter
A Christmas Letter
1985-10-01
[Royalhaven Music / Cookhouse Music / RCA]
16 Biggest Hits
16 Biggest Hits
1984-01-01
[RLG/Legacy]
16 Biggest Hits
16 Biggest Hits
1984-01-01
[RLG/Legacy]