Bill Monroe’s signature composition written in 1945 and recorded in 1946, becoming the official bluegrass song of Kentucky. Originally performed as a bluegrass waltz in 3/4 time, it featured Monroe’s “high lonesome” sound with the classic Blue Grass Boys lineup including Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Elvis Presley transformed it into a 4/4 rockabilly hit in 1954, prompting Monroe to adapt his own arrangement. The song has been covered by artists from Paul McCartney to Ray Charles. In 2002, Monroe’s version was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. CMT ranked it #11 in their list of 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. In a 1983 interview with NPR, Monroe described the diverse influences within bluegrass music:
“It’s got Baptists and Holiness and Methodists singing in it and Scotch bagpipe and the old Southern blues and a lot of different ideas in it. It really touches your heart, and it’s good, clean music.” — Bill Monroe