Essie Country Notes – Spilled Whiskey

Spilled Whiskey

by Gene Johns

If there ever was a song that captures country music the way it should be done, “Spilled Whiskey” by Daryle Singletary is that song. If you looked up country music in the dictionary, I wouldn’t be surprised if “Spilled Whiskey” by Daryle Singletary was there.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, but none, in my opinion, comes close to the level Daryle brings to it. The classic country vocals, instrumental arrangement, melody, lyrics, and overall sound come together to create country music the way it is supposed to sound.

Daryle’s impeccable performance brings the story to life. His perfect cadence and phrasing, combined with his distinctive country voice and style and the masterful use of fiddle and steel guitar, will leave you wanting to hit the replay button more than once.

Yet Daryle Singletary’s version of “Spilled Whiskey” never charted.

In my opinion, it was another victim of the pop and hip-hop influences that had taken hold of mainstream country music. In another era, I believe “Spilled Whiskey” would have been a serious contender for the top of the country charts. Essie Country chose Daryle’s version of “Spilled Whiskey” as Essie Country’s 2015 Song of the Year.

Daryle Singletary was certainly no stranger to the country charts. During the 1990s, he scored three Top 5 hits, including “I Let Her Lie” and “Amen Kind of Love,” both of which reached No. 2. But by the time “Spilled Whiskey” was released in 2015, mainstream country radio had largely moved on—not just from Singletary, but from the traditional country sound he represented.

In my view, Nashville and the country music industry were derelict in their duty to present some of the best country music the genre had to offer. “Spilled Whiskey” by Daryle Singletary is one of those missed opportunities. It is, in my opinion, one of the finest traditional country performances and recordings of its era.

Sadly, Daryle passed away on February 12, 2018, at his home in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was only 46 years old. His death was sudden and unexpected. His widow, Holly Singletary, later stated that he died from a blood clot.

This Essie Country Notes not only recognizes a great country song and performance, but also pays tribute to an unmistakable and memorable country vocalist whose voice represented the music he loved until the end—Daryle Singletary.

I could say much more about “Spilled Whiskey,” but perhaps the best way to make my case is to let Daryle Singletary do it himself. Click the YouTube video below, turn up the volume, and listen to what I believe is country music at its very best.