Could've Been Me

Last updated
"Could've Been Me"
Billy Ray Cyrus - Couldve been me.jpg
Single by Billy Ray Cyrus
from the album Some Gave All
B-side "I'm So Miserable"
ReleasedJuly 22, 1992
Length3:44
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s) Reed Nielsen, Monty Powell
Producer(s) Joe Scaife, Jim Cotton
Billy Ray Cyrus singles chronology
"Achy Breaky Heart"
(1992)
"Could've Been Me"
(1992)
"Wher'm I Gonna Live?"
(1992)

"Could've Been Me" is a song written by Reed Nielsen and Monty Powell, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in July 1992 as the second single from his multi-platinum selling debut album, Some Gave All . The song reached number 2 on the U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and it also reached number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It was the follow-up to the number 1 song, "Achy Breaky Heart".

Contents

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "flair of Springsteen-ish style." She states to "look for the multiformat ball to keep on rolling." [1]

Music video

The music video was directed by Marc Ball and produced by Kitty Moon, and premiered in mid-1992.

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus</span> American country singer and actor (born 1961)

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer, songwriter and actor. Having released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, he is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992. Due to the song's music video, the line dance rose in popularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Achy Breaky Heart</span> Single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"Achy Breaky Heart" is a song written in 1990 by Don Von Tress. First released in 1991 by the Marcy Brothers with the title "Don't Tell My Heart", it was later recorded by American singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus and released on his debut album, Some Gave All (1992). The song is Cyrus's debut single and signature song. It became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia and also 1992's best-selling single in the same country. In the United States, it became a crossover hit on pop and country radio, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the first country single to be certified platinum since "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983. The single topped in several countries, and after being featured on Top of the Pops in the United Kingdom, peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. It was Cyrus's biggest hit single in the U.S. until he was featured on "Old Town Road" by rapper Lil Nas X, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 27 years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take a Chance on Me</span> Song by Swedish pop group ABBA

"Take a Chance on Me" is a song by Swedish pop group ABBA, released in January 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, ABBA: The Album (1977). Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad share the lead vocals on the verses and choruses, with Fältskog singing two bridge sections solo. The song reached the top ten in both the UK and US, and was notably covered by the British band Erasure in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When a Man Loves a Woman (song)</span> 1966 single by Percy Sledge

"When a Man Loves a Woman" is a song written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright and first recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. Country singer John Wesley Ryles had a minor hit with his version of the song in 1976. Singer and actress Bette Midler recorded the song and had a Top 40 hit with her version in 1980. In 1991, Michael Bolton recorded the song and his version peaked at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because I Love You (The Postman Song)</span> 1990 song by Stevie B

"Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" (or simply titled "Because I Love You") is a song written by Warren Allen Brooks and performed by American singer, songwriter, and record producer Stevie B. It was released in September 1990 by LMR and RCA from his third album, Love & Emotion (1990). The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1990 and remained there for four consecutive weeks. It also spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song reached the top 10 in several countries worldwide, including Belgium and the Netherlands, where it peaked at number two. It received a gold certification in Australia and the United States. In August 2018, Billboard ranked the song the 71st-biggest hit in the history of the Hot 100.

<i>Some Gave All</i> 1992 studio album by Billy Ray Cyrus

Some Gave All is the debut studio album by American singer Billy Ray Cyrus. It was his first album for Mercury Records in 1992 and became the best selling album of that year in the United States, selling over 9 million copies in the first 12 months of release. It produced four hit singles on the Billboard country charts. The first of these was Cyrus's breakthrough song "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the charts in several countries. In the US it was a five-week number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, as well as a top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the first single ever to achieve triple Platinum status in Australia and was the best-selling single of 1992 in the same country. Thanks to the video of the song, there was an explosion of line dancing into the mainstream, becoming a craze. The song earned Grammy Award nominations for Cyrus in the categories Record of the Year and Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. That same year, Cyrus also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. "Achy Breaky Heart" was originally recorded as "Don't Tell My Heart" by The Marcy Brothers on their 1991 self-titled album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me</span> 1974 single by Elton John

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, Caribou (1974), and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist. He has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, and is best known for his debut single "Achy Breaky Heart". 32 of his singles have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart between 1992 and 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Could've Been (Tiffany song)</span> 1987 single by Tiffany

"Could've Been" is a song by American teen-pop artist Tiffany, released as the third single from her debut album, Tiffany (1987). The track was written by Lois Blaisch and produced by George Tobin. It was released first to North America on November 20, 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last Song (Elton John song)</span> 1992 single by Elton John

"The Last Song" is a song by English musician Elton John, released as the third single from his 23rd studio album, The One (1992). It was composed by John, with lyrics provided by Bernie Taupin. The song marked the first of John's American singles to benefit his AIDS foundation. It reached No. 7 in Canada and No. 21 in the United Kingdom while peaking within the top 40 in several countries worldwide, including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Love Somebody (song)</span> 1967 single by Bee Gees

"To Love Somebody" is a song written by Barry and Robin Gibb. Produced by Robert Stigwood, it was the second single released by the Bee Gees from their international debut album, Bee Gees 1st, in 1967. The single reached No. 17 in the United States and No. 41 in the United Kingdom. The song's B-side was "Close Another Door". The single was reissued in 1980 on RSO Records with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" as its flipside. The song ranked at number 94 on NME magazine's "100 Best Tracks of the Sixties". The entry was a minor hit in France but reached the top 10 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ready, Set, Don't Go</span> 2007 single by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus

"Ready, Set, Don't Go" is a country song recorded by American singers Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. It was released as the lead single from Home at Last, Billy Ray Cyrus' tenth studio album on August 13, 2007. The song has received different interpretations, although, in actuality, Cyrus wrote the song several years before its release when his middle daughter, Miley, moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue an acting career with an audition for the Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana. "Ready, Set, Don't Go" received critical praise, with reviewers complimenting its lyrical content. It also reached positive commercial responses for Cyrus, compared to his downfall in previous years. Peaking at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became Cyrus' first entry on the chart since "You Won't Be Lonely Now" (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busy Man</span> 1998 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"Busy Man" is a song written by Bob Regan and George Teren, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in August 1998 as the second single from his album Shot Full of Love. The song reached a peak of number 3 on the U.S. country singles charts in early 1999, becoming his first Top 10 hit since "Somebody New" in 1993 and his last until "Ready, Set, Don't Go" in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Won't Be Lonely Now</span> 2000 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"You Won't Be Lonely Now" is a song written by Brett James and John Bettis, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in May 2000 as the first single from the album Southern Rain. The power ballad debuted at number 62 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks on July 8, 2000. It was the first of five singles released from the album, as well as the highest-charting single, peaking in the Top 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's Not Cryin' Anymore</span> 1993 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"She's Not Cryin' Anymore" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in January 1993 as the fourth and last single from his debut album, Some Gave All. It debuted at number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. The song was written by Cyrus, Buddy Cannon and Terry Shelton and fourth consecutive Top 40, and his third Top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Heart of a Woman</span> 1993 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"In the Heart of a Woman" is a song written by Keith Hinton and Brett Cartwright, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in June 1993 as the first single from his platinum-selling second album, It Won't Be the Last. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Words by Heart</span> 1994 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"Words by Heart" is a song written by Reed Nielsen and Monty Powell, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in January 1994 as the third single from his platinum-selling second album, It Won't Be the Last. The song was the follow-up to "Somebody New". "Words by Heart" reached a peak of number 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks, and number 19 on the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. It also gained play in Canada, where it reached number 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storm in the Heartland (song)</span> 1994 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"Storm in the Heartland" is a song written by Billy Henderson, Curt Ryle and Donald Burns, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in October 1994 as the first single and title track from the album Storm in the Heartland. The song reached #33 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All the Same to Me</span> 1997 single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"It's All the Same to Me" is a song written by Kerry Kurt Phillips and Jerry Laseter, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. It was released in May 1997 as the first single from his compilation album The Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: Cover to Cover. The song reached #19 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. In 2017, Chuck Dauphin of Billboard ranked it as the best song in Cyrus's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Town Road</span> 2018 single by Lil Nas X

"Old Town Road" is the debut mainstream single by American rapper Lil Nas X, first released independently in December 2018. After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by Columbia Records in March 2019. The rapper also recorded a remix with American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, which was released on April 5, 2019. Both were included on Lil Nas X's second EP, 7 (2019).

References

  1. Billboard , July 4, 1992
  2. "Billy Ray Cyrus – Could've Been Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  3. "Billy Ray Cyrus – Could've Been Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1950." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. October 3, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  5. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1890." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. October 31, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  6. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 42. October 17, 1992. p. 31. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  7. "Billy Ray Cyrus – Could've Been Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  8. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Could've Been Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  9. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  10. "Billy Ray Cyrus – Could've Been Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  11. "Billy Ray Cyrus – Could've Been Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  13. "Billy Ray Cyrus Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  14. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Top Adult Songs 1961-2006. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-169-7.
  15. "Billy Ray Cyrus Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  16. "The RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  17. "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.