Country up-and-comer Michaela Anne is debuting her cover of Hank Williams‘ classic tune “Your Cheatin’ Heart” exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play below to listen.
A Nashville newbie, Anne moved to Tennessee from Brooklyn, N.Y., and quickly linked up with local legends, such as Rodney Crowell, to pursue her country music dreams. She recorded this version of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” within her first few months in Music City, in Crowell’s home studio, thanks to producer Dan Knobler (who is also Crowell’s son-in-law). The result is a lush, yearning take that does Hank Sr. proud.
Written and recorded by Williams in late 1952, “Your Cheatin’ Heart” was originally released in early 1953, shortly after his death on Jan. 1. The song quickly became a hit: It topped the Billboard country charts for a number of weeks and sold more than 1 million copies. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” is widely regarded as a country standard, and is one of Williams’ most famous songs; as for why she decided to take on the iconic tune, Anne points to its universality.
“I’ve always been drawn to dark, sad songs, and Hank Williams is the king of these,” she tells The Boot. “Country music often highlights the pitfalls of our human behavior, the heartache and pain that some of us just seem more prone to in life. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” just wallows in the heartache of betrayal, and, for me, nothing feels better than wallowing.”
Anne hasn’t yet announced a follow-up project to 2016’s Bright Lights and the Fame, but fans of traditional country tunes (with a little bluesy twang!) should keep tabs on her. That record racked up accolades from critics and earned her performance spots at AmericanaFest and Bristol Rhythm & Roots; she’s also toured alongside SoCal troubadour Sam Outlaw.
Listen to Michaela Anne, “Your Cheatin’ Heart”:
Country’s Greatest Love Stories
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
http://theboot.com/michaela-anne-your-cheatin-heart-hank-williams-cover/
