When “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'” debuted on October 23rd, 1971, Charley Pride probably didn’t imagine it would become an everlasting crossover hit. Additionally, he probably didn’t think that great country artists would be clamoring to cover it on their future albums, but that is precisely what happened.
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The song, written by Ben Peters, became Pride’s first single to crossover to the Pop charts and his 8th No. 1 on the country charts. Since his debut, it has become one of his signature songs and a true country classic.
Nearly immediately after it hit the top of the country charts, already-legendary country artists like George Jones and Conway Twitty were in love with the track and had made arrangements to issue their own cover of it.
You've gotta kiss an angel good mornin and love her like the devil when you get back home pic.twitter.com/Ztj20k4e9f
— Dylan (@DylanThetford) October 19, 2015
Nearly three decades after its release, another country superstar, Alan Jackson, breathed new life into the song with his 1999 release of Under The Influence. The album went platinum and was a collection of hits from country artists revamped and re-recorded by Jackson.
Rare Video Of A Young Alan Jackson Singing George Jones!http://t.co/V0sveGH26l
RT 4 #AlanJackson pic.twitter.com/YdzZBdagKR
— Country Music Fans (@countrymusicFB) February 17, 2015
The country star does an incredible job performing Pride’s early hit and signature tune, giving it a refreshed sound without losing its classic appeal.
“His music symbolizes his audience’s love of bright new thrills and soulful old records,” says Rolling Stone’s James Hunter. “It’s those old records that Jackson lavishes attention on throughout [the album], a group of twelve vintage tunes that comprise a collection of what he calls ‘just songs that I like’.”
Listen to the classic hit brought to life with a ’90s country twang in the video below!
