When it comes to choosing artists for the Mount Rushmore of all-time great voices in country music, Daryle Singletary has to at least be in the conversation.
Today marks three years since Daryle’s untimely death at the age of 46 from a blood clot, but his music is still in my regular rotation. The voice, the classic country sound, the steel guitar…I still can’t get enough of it.
So in honor of Daryle, I thought it would be nice to go back and look at some of his best songs from a career and a life that was cut much too short.
“That’s Why I Sing This Way”
If you ask me, this is one of the all-time great tributes to the Possum. I mean, come on, is there a better line in country music than “Momma used to whoop me with a George Jones album/That’s why I sing this way.”
“Amen Kind of Love”
“The Note”
First recorded by Conway Twitty in 1985, “The Note” became one of Singletary’s signature songs – and for good reason. His classic country sound made him one of the best at heartbreak songs, and “The Note” is as heartbreak country at its finest.
“I’m Living Up to Her Low Expectations”
“Spilled Whiskey”
“Old Violin”
Daryle recorded his cover of the 1986 Johnny Paycheck heartbreaker “Old Violin” for his 2002 album That’s Why I Sing This Way. Paycheck, who was in the hospital at the time, liked Singletary’s version so much that he agreed to appear on the song – in what would turn out to be Johnny Paycheck’s final recording before he passed away.
“I Let Her Lie”
“Jesus and Bartenders”
And last, but certainly not least…
“Too Much Fun”
Rest in peace, Daryle.
