About The Song
You’ve got a great memory for classic country tunes! Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart” is a song that dominated the charts in the early 1990s with its catchy melody and line dancing craze. Here’s a recap:
Origins and Release:
- Written by Don Von Tress in 1990.
- First released in 1991 by The Marcy Brothers as “Don’t Tell My Heart.”
- Billy Ray Cyrus recorded it for his 1992 debut album “Some Gave All,” changing the title to “Achy Breaky Heart.” The song became a massive crossover hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and the UK Singles Chart.
Genre: Country Pop
Musical Style:
- Features a distinctive banjo riff and a bright tempo that encourages dancing.
- Billy Ray Cyrus’s distinctive vocals deliver the playful lyrics with a twangy accent.
- The song incorporates elements of pop music with a country music base.
Lyrics and Theme:
- The song tells a lighthearted story about a man suffering from a heartbreak (“My heart’s achin’, breakin’ / Barely can stand the shakin'”)
- The lyrics use southern slang and humor to portray the man’s despair in a lovable way (“Now I’m messin’ up my diction / Stumblin’ on my britches”).
Legacy and Impact:
- “Achy Breaky Heart” became Billy Ray Cyrus’s signature song and launched him to superstardom.
- The song sparked a line dancing craze across the US, with the dance moves featured prominently in the music video.
- It remains a popular choice for parties and karaoke nights, recognized for its catchy melody and fun atmosphere.
Interesting Tidbits:
- The song’s unusual title was inspired by a misheard phrase by Billy Ray Cyrus’s mother.
- She said “my achy breaky heart” instead of “my aching heart.”
- Cyrus’s then-wife, Tish Cyrus, appears in the music video alongside his father, country singer Hank Cyrus.
Want to hear the song?
You can find “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus on most streaming platforms. The music video, featuring the line dancing craze, is also available on YouTube: you can search for “Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart (Official Music Video)”.
Here are some additional questions you might be interested in:
- Would you like to explore other Billy Ray Cyrus songs?
- Are you interested in learning more about the history of line dancing?
- What other novelty songs from the 1990s do you remember?
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
You can tell the world you never was my girl
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been
And laugh and joke about me on the phone
You can tell my arms go back to the farm
You can tell my feet to hit the floor
Or you can tell my lips to tell my fingertips
They won’t be reaching out for you no more
But don’t tell my heart my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think it’d understand
And if you tell my heart my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
You can tell your ma I moved to Arkansas
You can tell your dog to bite my leg
Or tell your brother Cliff, whose fist can tear my lip
He never really liked me anyway
Or tell your Aunt Louise tell anything you please
Myself already knows I’m not okay
Or you can tell my eyes to watch out for my mind
It might be walking out on me today
But don’t tell my heart my achy breaky heart
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Don’t tell my heart my achy breaky heart…
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
Don’t tell my heart my achy breaky heart…
I just don’t think he’d understand
And if you tell my heart my achy breaky heart
He might blow up and kill this man
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