B-side "Lucky Dog" Format 7" single Genre Country | Released March 1988 Recorded 1987 Length 4:12 | |
"Don't Close Your Eyes" is a song written by Bob McDill, and recorded by American country music artist Keith Whitley. It was released in March 1988 as third single from his album of the same name. It peaked at number-one in the United States, and number 2 in Canada. Additionally, it was Billboard's number-one country single of the year 1988.
Contents
Music video
The music video was directed by Michael McClary and premiered in mid-1988.
Covers
The song was covered by Alan Jackson for Keith Whitley's 1995 tribute album, by Kellie Pickler for the deluxe edition of her 2008 self-titled second album, and by The Voice Season 6 contestant Jake Worthington for his audition song and fan-chosen final performance. Garth Brooks performed the song at the 50th CMA Awards whilst Whitley's widow Lorrie Morgan looked emotional in the audience.
Chart positions
The song has sold 404,000 digital copies in the United States as of November 2016.
Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed Remix)
On July 1, 2015 Billboard Magazine announced the release of "Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed)" a tribute to Keith Whitley on his 60th birthday. The song is performed by Shady Records recording artist Kxng Crooked fka Crooked I (from Slaughterhouse), Truth Ali, Jonathan Hay and Morgan McRae. "I feel the rap verses really capture the emotional torment of the original," producer Jonathan Hay tells Billboard. "As you may or may not know, Keith Whitley died from alcoholism -- Kxng Crooked talks about his own chilling battle with alcoholism in his verse," he adds of the evocative tribute. "One of the main reasons I wanted to do this tribute is because I was raised in Kentucky, just like Keith Whitley," Hay continues. "Being all over the United States, it seems Whitley is more iconic back home in the 'Bluegrass State' then he is everywhere else. We want to change that.” "Don't Close Your Eyes (The Ashamed Remix)" is part of The Urban Hitchcock LP.
The music video premiered on MTV News on August 27.