Music Metrics Vault

Keith Whitley

Data updated on 2025-04-29 07:32:32 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

446.7 million
Updated on 2025-04-29

Country

United States

Social media links

Monthly listeners

1,861,528

Followers

545,860

Top Cities

  1. United States
    53,596 listeners
  2. United States
    45,763 listeners
  3. United States
    37,790 listeners
  4. United States
    41,051 listeners
  5. United States
    31,280 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
When You Say Nothing at All
When You Say Nothing at All
96,357,879 3:44 1984-01-01
Don't Close Your Eyes
Don't Close Your Eyes
87,554,763 4:13 1984-01-01
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
47,707,010 3:35 1984-01-01
I'm Over You
I'm Over You
38,328,529 3:03 1984-01-01
Miami, My Amy
Miami, My Amy
38,191,775 3:27 1984-01-01
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
12,338,996 3:48 1984-01-01
Ten Feet Away
Ten Feet Away
8,222,981 3:22 1984-01-01
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
8,079,445 2:58 1990-01-01
Kentucky Bluebird
Kentucky Bluebird
7,814,957 3:40 1991-09-01
Brotherly Love
Brotherly Love
7,198,680 3:16 1984-01-01
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
6,075,785 2:27 1985-10-01
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
6,013,204 3:01 1990-08-07
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
5,963,364 3:32 1990-01-01
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
5,963,364 3:30 1984-01-01
It Ain't Nothin'
It Ain't Nothin'
4,948,042 4:05 1984-01-01
Homecoming '63
Homecoming '63
4,562,541 3:01 1984-01-01
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
4,470,689 3:16 1984-01-01
Brother Jukebox
Brother Jukebox
3,270,995 2:47 1989-07-01
Between an Old Memory and Me
Between an Old Memory and Me
3,001,639 3:20 1989-07-01
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
2,815,729 4:29 1988-05-30
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
2,740,094 3:28 1984-01-01
On the Other Hand
On the Other Hand
2,406,630 3:12 1985-10-01
Joseph and Mary's Boy
Joseph and Mary's Boy
2,249,731 4:08 2024-05-29
Hard Livin'
Hard Livin'
2,017,516 2:56 1984-01-01
Sad Songs And Waltzes
Sad Songs And Waltzes
1,982,729 3:06 2000-09-12
Charlotte's In North Carolina
Charlotte's In North Carolina
1,908,105 2:60 1994-01-01
Dance With Me Molly
Dance With Me Molly
1,786,485 3:50 2000-09-12
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
1,601,261 2:50 1988-05-30
To Be Loved By A Woman
To Be Loved By A Woman
1,477,316 4:08 2000-09-12
Talk to Me Texas
Talk to Me Texas
1,471,859 3:32 1989-07-01
I Just Want You
I Just Want You
1,454,380 3:32 1994-01-01
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
1,358,732 3:13 1984-01-01
Wildwood Flower
Wildwood Flower
1,259,943 3:04 2005-04-19
Turn Me to Love
Turn Me to Love
1,137,504 3:28 1984-01-01
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
1,093,023 2:55 1988-05-30
Quittin' Time
Quittin' Time
1,061,546 2:55 1985-10-01
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
963,933 3:10 2000-09-12
Honky Tonk Heart
Honky Tonk Heart
935,449 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)
902,413 3:41 1988-05-30
Tennessee Courage
Tennessee Courage
820,440 4:00 1989-07-01
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
813,797 2:36 2005-04-19
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
799,645 3:03 1996-06-18
The Comeback Kid
The Comeback Kid
778,196 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?
726,524 2:57 2000-09-12
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
684,167 3:15 1991-09-01
I Get the Picture
I Get the Picture
598,829 2:55 1985-10-01
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
583,302 3:37 2000-09-12
Dream of a Miner's Child
Dream of a Miner's Child
582,257 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
557,224 2:47 2002-03-04
Backbone Job
Backbone Job
556,952 2:43 1991-09-01
I've Got the Heart for You
I've Got the Heart for You
544,965 2:38 1985-10-01
Lucky Dog - Single Version
Lucky Dog - Single Version
535,698 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)
505,997 2:40 1996-06-18
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
505,642 2:29 2000-09-12
I'm Losing You All Over Again
I'm Losing You All Over Again
499,912 4:11 1996-01-05
Heartbreak Highway
Heartbreak Highway
499,775 2:56 1989-07-01
I Want My Rib Back
I Want My Rib Back
494,493 2:58 1991-09-01
I Never Go Around Mirrors
I Never Go Around Mirrors
451,160 3:19 2000-09-12
Flying Colors
Flying Colors
423,803 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)
420,487 3:29 1996-06-18
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
420,269 3:25 2000-09-12
All I Ever Loved Was You
All I Ever Loved Was You
417,714 3:13 2005-04-19
That Stuff
That Stuff
409,431 3:22 1985-10-01
Lady's Choice
Lady's Choice
374,286 2:37 1989-07-01
Turn This Thing Around
Turn This Thing Around
317,530 3:30 1989-07-01
Memories Of Mother
Memories Of Mother
295,159 2:56 2005-04-19
My Deceitful Heart
My Deceitful Heart
258,706 2:17 2005-04-19
Don't Our Love Look Natural
Don't Our Love Look Natural
242,362 3:08 1996-06-18
Somewhere Between
Somewhere Between
242,053 4:15 2000-09-12
A Hard Act To Follow
A Hard Act To Follow
219,556 2:37 1996-06-18
Poor Monroe
Poor Monroe
211,377 2:28 2005-04-19
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
192,713 3:23 2000-09-12
Going Home
Going Home
168,563 3:57 1991-09-01
Long Black Limousine
Long Black Limousine
162,130 3:35 2000-09-12
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
144,986 3:06 1996-06-18
Another Town
Another Town
141,853 2:28 2000-09-12
Those Two Blue Eyes
Those Two Blue Eyes
139,785 2:01 2005-04-19
Sea Of Regret
Sea Of Regret
139,697 2:52 2005-04-19
Girl From The Canyon
Girl From The Canyon
133,771 2:22 2000-09-12
Daybreak In Dixie
Daybreak In Dixie
120,588 2:06 2005-04-19
Family Tree
Family Tree
100,566 3:03 2000-09-12
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
89,235 2:58 2005-04-19
Son Of Hobert
Son Of Hobert
87,565 2:50 2005-04-19
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
81,330 3:29 2012-11-18
You Win Again
You Win Again
72,538 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)
61,845 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]
49,291 1:23 2010-07-26
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
43,518 3:11 1991-09-01
A Christmas Letter
A Christmas Letter
36,768 3:41 1985-09-03
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
28,346 1:10 1991-09-01
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
28,308 2:20 2004-01-01
Take Me Back
Take Me Back
27,356 1:59 2004-01-01
Water Rolls High
Water Rolls High
27,236 1:27 2010-07-26
American Country Countdown Interview
American Country Countdown Interview
24,698 0:34 1991-09-01
Ralph Emery Interview
Ralph Emery Interview
22,987 0:42 1991-09-01
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Light at the End of the Tunnel
18,839 3:09 1996-01-05
Daddy Loved Trains
Daddy Loved Trains
17,138 3:01 1996-01-05
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
16,530 3:03 1996-01-05
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
14,033 2:56 1996-01-05
Wherever You Are Tonight
Wherever You Are Tonight
13,385 3:21 1996-01-05
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
12,379 3:59 1996-01-05
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
11,595 2:55 1996-01-05
Buck
Buck
9,100 3:02 1996-01-05
Leave Well Enough Alone
Leave Well Enough Alone
8,864 3:45 1996-01-05
Rock Bottom
Rock Bottom
5,655 2:52 2004-01-01
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
4,954 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
4,674 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]