On night one of Luke Combs’ back to back sold-out shows at Nashville’s Bridegstone Area this week, Morgan Wallen brought the entire room to a standstill when he performed his version of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.”
The song has become an instant favorite among Wallen’s fans and, as you might expect, a point of contention from the staunch traditionalists that consider it blaspheme for a mainstream guy like Morgan to cover a song like this.
The other night, before his performance, Morgan addressed that criticism in a lengthy introduction explaining his appreciation for that song, Jason Isbell, and how although there is some hate, it’s been mostly love.
I always make sure that I say this every night I play it. This is a song that I did not originally write. It’s written by a guy who is one of my favorite artists and one of my favorite songwriters of all time. A guy named Jason Isbell. And from the moment I heard this song I just connected with it in a way that I have not connected to many songs. I would always be backstage warming up, just getting my voice ready to play a show, not really intending on anybody to hear it, but a few people heard it and they said ‘man, your version of that song is good, you should do your own version’. I was a bit skeptical at first because I knew I would get some hate for it, and I have, but it’s been mostly love and that’s because you guys so thank you for being so loving towards this. As long as I am able to sing I’m going to sing this song because I love it so much. It’s called ‘Cover Me Up.'”
Ok, now that I have service again I’d like to add 3 things:
– Morgan Wallen gave the song a very good introduction (seen here)
– I’m not saying his cover is bad, it was just really surreal to see in this setting
– despite the reference I really don’t like Stranger Things pic.twitter.com/CquprMrAzq— Dave Paulson (@ItsDavePaulson) December 13, 2019
And, most importantly, some of that love has come from Jason Isbell himself.
It can be so painful to bring a song from your heart into the world then watch it start to fade away after a year or two. I feel like Cover Me Up is very much alive right now and I’m so grateful for that. https://t.co/zZP6vpFf8Y
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) December 14, 2019
Guys it’s really cool that @MorganWallen is singing my song. That’s what I’m trying to say. Everybody just relax. You’re about to have to deal with your family at the holidays. This isn’t a thing to stress over.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) December 14, 2019
At the end of the day, whether you like it or not, this is a good thing for country music.
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