The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Song›Tennessee Whiskey
Entertainment • Song

Tennessee Whiskey

"Tennessee Whiskey" is a country song written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Tennessee Whiskey" is a country song written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove. It was first recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981, later covered by George Jones in 1983, and became widely known through Chris Stapleton's 2015 rendition.

Background

"Tennessee Whiskey" was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove in the early 1980s. It is a country song that uses alcohol imagery as a metaphor for romantic devotion.

Early recordings

David Allan Coe released the first recorded version in 1981. George Jones's 1983 cover became a major hit and helped establish the song within country music.

Chris Stapleton version

Chris Stapleton recorded the song for his 2015 album Traveller. His live and televised performances helped bring the song to a much wider audience.

Reception and legacy

The song has been widely covered and is now closely associated with Stapleton's career, while still recognized as a classic country standard.

Key facts

  • The song was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove.
  • David Allan Coe recorded the first version in 1981.
  • George Jones's 1983 version reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
  • Chris Stapleton's 2015 version appeared on the album Traveller and became the best-known modern recording.
  • The lyrics compare a romantic relationship to Tennessee whiskey and strawberry wine.
🍁
Canadian context

George Jones's version reached number 1 on Canada's RPM Country Tracks chart, giving the song a notable Canadian chart presence.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Tennessee Whiskey"?
The song was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove.
Who recorded the first version?
David Allan Coe recorded the first version in 1981.
Which version made the song a major hit?
George Jones's 1983 version reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
What album includes Chris Stapleton's version?
His version appears on Traveller, released in 2015.
What is the song about?
It is a love song that uses Tennessee whiskey as a metaphor for comfort and devotion.

References

  1. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/chris-stapleton/tennessee-whiskey
    Supports: Songwriters, recording history, chart notes, and later popularity of Chris Stapleton's version.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Whiskey_(song)
    Supports: Songwriters, original 1981 recording by David Allan Coe, and George Jones's 1983 chart performance.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_whiskey
    Supports: The song's title as a reference to the whiskey style and its naming connection to the spirit.
  4. Wide Open Country — https://www.wideopencountry.com/tennessee-whiskey-evolved-modern-country-classic/
    Supports: The song's lyrical theme and the rise of Chris Stapleton's version after his 2015 performance.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Whiskey_(album)
    Supports: David Allan Coe's 1981 album of the same name containing the original version.