Morgan Wallen’s Cover of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up”
Morgan Wallen is probably not a country music performer you need to be paying attention to, irrespective of this particular effort. The Big Loud-signed Sneedville, Tennessee native unleashed one of the most indolent songs in modern country history when he collaborated with Florida Georgia Line on the directionless and vapid “Up Down,” which was not much more than a poor rewrite of “Cruise” and a commercial for a peach and pecan-flavored whiskey called Old Camp, catchy melody notwithstanding.
Truth be told, Morgan Wallen’s debut album If I Know Me is not nearly as bad as “Up Down” would lead you to believe, but it’s passable mainstream pop country at best. Yet even with the initial bad taste Morgan Wallen left in the mouths of many country fans with “Up Down,” when he released an acoustic video performing Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” (see below), it was difficult for even the most dug-in Morgan Wallen detractors to not nod in approval.
Spearheaded by the positively Wallen received for his “Cover Me Up” cover, he’s just released a studio version of the song, and surprisingly, it’s lossless in quality compared to the original acoustic version. Tastefully produced and arranged with sparse accompaniment, it’s arguably even better.
To be frank, it’s not Morgan Wallen which makes this song so compelling, even though his effort is quality, and admirable. No offense to Morgan Wallen whatsoever, because it was his choice to perform this song in the first place, and part of what has always made great country performers is the ability to see and hear a song worth singing, and putting it on a pedestal with a strong performance like Wallen does here. But the impact of the song is more due to the fact that Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” is such a world-class song off arguably his best record, 2013’s Southeastern, that many could sing it and make it memorable. It just takes someone with a sizable platform that can get folks to pay attention, like Morgan Wallen has done.
In previous generations of country music, a song like “Cover Me Up” would be the beneficiary of a bidding war between major entertainers all wanting to be the first to cut it and watch it climb the charts. That’s how obscure songwriters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Billy Joe Shaver, and Lucinda Williams scored massive mainstream hits, and sustained their own careers despite their under-the-radar status.
But over the last few years, estimates are that 90% of country’s professional songwriters have been eradicated from the marketplace, leaving us now with super songwriters like Shane McAnally and busbee, who also tend to be the producers of songs, narrowing the talent pool even further. This phenomenon is what has been at the heart of the constricting of creativity in mainstream country, as well as the sameness behind so many songs.
Of course “Cover Me Up” is an incredible song and ripe for the masses. Jason Isbell fans could have told you that six years ago, and they probably don’t even consider it his best song. Sure, there’s probably a place for songs like “Up Down” in mainstream country. But there should be a place for incredible compositions like “Cover Me Up” too. And when just given a chance by a bigger artist, they shine.
This isn’t a similar scenario to Darius Rucker singing “Wagon Wheel,” which had been well worn out by every cover band for a decade before he got his hands on it, or even Zac Brown Band making Isbell’s “Dress Blues” an album cut. With the resonance “Cover Me Up” has shown with just the least bit of energy and promotion behind it proves country music can find and promote quality songs if they’re only given a chance.
At the moment, Morgan Wallen’s version of “Cover Me Up” is just a digital exclusive. But if Big Loud had any smarts, they’d put some money behind it after Wallen’s mild single “Whiskey Glasses” and his mullet haircut run their course, and see if they can’t garner a “Song of the Year” nomination for “Cover Me Up” down the road, just like Darius Rucker did with “Wagon Wheel.” This is how the Music Row songwriting system is supposed to work, with the best songs finding a way to the top.
In many respects, Morgan Wallen is one of these many nameless, faceless major label male stars with a Top 5 hit that most would not even recognize on the street in Nashville. But perhaps with “Cover Me Up,” he can distinguish himself from the herd, and trace a path forward where fans from both the independent and mainstream country can enjoy a song equally.
Colter
April 8, 2019 @ 8:27 am
I feel songs like that are so personal to an artist’s life shouldn’t even be covered. Knowing Isbell actually lived through thee lyrics like he did it takes all the emotion out of someone else singing it. But at least he’s trying to sing good songs.
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 8:53 am
If you’re a fan of Jason Isbell and this song specifically, then you might feel one way about this cover. But what you have to understand is that 99% of Americans have no idea who Jason Isbell is. I would say probably 80% of people who claim to be country fans have no idea who Jason Isbell is. This cover is not for you, it’s for them, and is opening their perspective to an entirely new world full of listening possibilities that include substance, and heart.
Sure this song is personal to Isbell, but so was “Passionate Kisses” by Lucinda Williams, or “Georgia on a Fast Train” by Billy Joe Shaver. But more importantly, they were great songs, and deserved to be heard by the masses.
Benjamin
April 8, 2019 @ 2:01 pm
Trigger,
Covers have always bothered me because now this will always be known as a “Morgan Wallen” song and Jason Isbell won’t get the due credit he deserves… much like how “Wagon Wheel” is a Darius Rucker song, or how “Dirt Road Anthem” is a Jason Aldean song, and so on…
Unless it’s an already popular song to which everyone knows it’s a cover, I feel like it’s just in bad taste to essentially take credit for someone else’s song… that being said, I understand what you’re getting at with 99% of country fans will only hear quality music through covers and such… so, I had an idea: make the title of the song include the original artist (only if they had a hand in writing it though)
Example:
“Cover Me Up (Jason Isbell Cover)” by Morgan Wallen.
“Wagon Wheel (O.C.M.S. Cover)” by Darius Rucker
Good idea or bad idea?
David G Farmer
April 8, 2019 @ 5:47 pm
Great idea to give props to the songwriter. With the right support and practice, a mediocre singer/musician could become a star. The same can’t be said for writing a song. On a side note the ‘Cover Me Up’ was cover was ok
KGD
April 9, 2019 @ 6:01 am
Interestingly, they do that on setlist.fm
Good idea.
Madwolf
April 10, 2019 @ 2:04 pm
Ben: Let’s not forget “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton…
Benjamin
April 11, 2019 @ 6:12 am
That’s a good example, but at the same time I feel like that was well known enough already for people to know it was a cover. Maybe it’s just the people in my circles, but they knew
jimbo
April 8, 2019 @ 4:13 pm
Maybe. Unless it’s done incredibly well, and the covering artist really puts their own fingerprints on it. A great example of an intensely personal song covered to perfection is Johnny Cash’s cover of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt.”
63Guild
April 8, 2019 @ 8:27 am
What’s aggravating is that many of these artists who have created the greatest atrocities in mainstream country are fans of people like Isbell, Childers, and Sturgill. I really wanted to hate Morgan covering this but couldn’t, ita a great cover and way better than Zac brown’s attempt at covering the song.
Derek Sullivan
April 8, 2019 @ 8:35 am
This post reminds me of the main reason I’m disappointed that Jason Aldean was named Performer of the Decade. To me, this decade has been all about the rise of the singer-songwriter and we saw it again last night with Kacey Musgrave’s wins. Lambert, Stapleton, Church write their own music.
I just felt it was weird that in what I call the “Songwriter Decade” the ACMs picked a performer who doesn’t write anything.
It’s sad that songwriters are struggling to make it, but hang in there because there will always be artists like Aldean who will need you.
Huntermc6
April 8, 2019 @ 9:34 am
I am always so torn by these recordings, if Isbell is happy with it I guess I am too but if you have ever seen Isbell sing this song to Amanda on stage you would wish on your life that no one else will ever touch it. There isn’t a snowballs chance in hell it will ever be done with even a fraction of a % of the meaning and power it has when Isbell performs it. Hearing most of the audience cheer and clap when he hits the line “I sobered up and I swore off that stuff forever this time” hits so hard. While this song may carry meaning for Morgan, to an Isbell fan Morgan’s rendition will always feel lacking no matter how good it really is.
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a good cover, it is. That also doesn’t mean this isn’t good for Jason’s career if this keeps gaining as much traction as it is but I always wanted this song to gain popularity because people have seen Jason Isbell sing it, perform it and then for them to learn about his life and what brought him to create this song. Maybe in the “come full circle” kind of way casual country fans will find Isbell because of Morgans rendition, one can only hope.My feeling remains in the camp that this song is one of those that is just too personal to be done justice by anyone else despite how hard they try.
Just my 0.02
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 9:47 am
I can only imagine the howls that went up from Townes Van Zandt fans when Willie Nelson covered “Pancho & Lefty,” especially with the terrible synthesized piano intro that is more time stamped than parachute pants. But who among us does not feel chills now whenever that piano intro hits our ears?
Huntermc6
April 8, 2019 @ 10:48 am
No doubt. I am sure this will help Jason Isbell’s career which ultimately is what matters because he can’t continue to write and perform if he doesn’t have a means to do so.
I will just be a stick in the mud about anyone who cuts this song because no one will make it sound as raw and authentic as Jason can despite polishing it up or being a better vocalist. Probably similar to how you feel about the Song Tennessee Whiskey since DAC’s version was the first one you heard.
Brent
April 9, 2019 @ 4:46 am
How in the world do you think this guy is a better vocalist than Isbell? Or guitarist?
AlexKjell
April 22, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
Think he was getting at no matter how good or great the artist covering Jason’s song will be, it will always hold more weight coming from the man himself because of what he has been through to write a song like that.
AlexKjell
April 22, 2019 @ 5:20 pm
Think he was getting at, no matter how great the next artist is that covers Jason’s song, it will always hold more weight coming from the man himself since he lived the experiences that brought him to write a song like that.
MichaelA
April 8, 2019 @ 5:06 pm
Townes did appear in Willie and Merle’s video so he couldn’t have been all that upset by their rendition.
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 5:26 pm
Oh I don’t think Townes would be upset by it, just like I guarantee Jason Isbell isn’t upset about Morgan Wallen. It’s the biggest honor of a songwriter to have a song cut by another artist. I’m talking about hardcore fans who feel like an artist or song is theirs as opposed to something that they should want to reach a wider audience.
Melody Warbington
April 10, 2019 @ 1:48 pm
I saw Isbell and his wife perform Cover Me Up at the Ryman the first time my husband and I went to see him in concert a few years ago. It was the single best musical performance I’ve ever seen. Nobody will ever sing it as well for me.
Nancy
April 8, 2019 @ 9:35 am
Morgan’s version I either fall asleep to or I cry to it be it’s kinda sayin things that I need & want in my life. But Morgan sounds so sexy singin it. I love it so much I’ve tried to get it as a ringtone but no success with it.
Wayfast
April 8, 2019 @ 9:39 am
If I had never heard the song before and you played me both versions, I’d probably prefer Wallens. I’m just hoping this gets Isbell a million more fans and some fat checks, certainly deserves it.
Though the venues and ticket prices have both been increasing in size at fast rate as is haha
Nate
April 8, 2019 @ 9:51 am
“If you want more popular country artists to sing songs that have some real meaning, don’t be pissed at the ones who do.” — Jason Isbell, 2015
https://twitter.com/JasonIsbell/status/554783834919927810
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 10:01 am
Exactly.
Jayme
April 8, 2019 @ 2:28 pm
Someone sent me a link to Isbell’s Cover Me Up the other day, thinking I might like it, based on my one woman crusade for good music to make it to Québexico, not knowing that I’ve had it in heavy rotation for the last x number of years..(especially the Austin City Limits live version, all hail Austin City Limits, or so says my childhood nostalgia). If this cover can open the door to the rabbit hole that is amazing “current” music, then by all means, cover away.
On a random aside, can’t get enough of Charles Wesley Godwin. I’m sure you’ve covered him here before, what a talent.
Sam Cody
April 8, 2019 @ 10:01 am
After all these years, and thousands of times I’ve heard it, that intro actually STILL makes me briefly say, “What the hell is this crap?”, before realizing, “Oh yeaaaa”.
Needed more Merle though…
Sam Cody
April 8, 2019 @ 10:11 am
This was meant to to go under Trigg’s Poncho & Left post…
Mike W.
April 8, 2019 @ 10:43 am
More importantly, can that thing on Wallen’s head be considered a mullet? Cause that is an absolutely hideous haircut….
OlaR
April 8, 2019 @ 10:57 am
He is on tour with songwriter-genius HARDY.
After “Rednecker” or “Up Down” & other songs from buzzwords-hell the drunk party-crowd will be overjoyed to listen to “Cover Me Up”. For real.
You are tough enough for 3 min. of god awful music?
Try out “Holler”! The new single by Granger Smith AND Earl Dibbles Jr.!
jimbo
April 8, 2019 @ 11:16 am
It’s all fun and games until Florida Georgia Line turns “Elephant” into a party anthem…
Atomic Zombie Redneck
April 8, 2019 @ 11:42 am
Questionable collaborations and pop leanings aside, I like Wallen’s voice. And this cover is proof that the right song can make all the difference.
Benny Lee
April 8, 2019 @ 1:45 pm
That’s a damn song, and MW does a good job on it. You can tell he respects the song.
I understand the folks saying they just can’t like it after hearing JI do it himself, and I agree that’s an elevate experience that simply can’t be copied. But it’s a good thing this song is getting some action. Now if only we could bring back the remaining 99% of real songwriting that has been unceremoniously kicked out by corporate trashville…
captain canada
April 8, 2019 @ 3:06 pm
Damn if you can hit those high notes like that…its a really hard song to sing… I really hope this makes it to country radio.
John
April 8, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
Not knowing how the music business works, does someone come to Jason and say “this guy wants to sing your song” and offer some set amount plus some percentage? Orsomething wildly different?
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 3:25 pm
In this case, Isbell would be credited as a songwriter and receive a percentage of all royalties. He will also receive performance fees if and when Morgan performs it live. There’s usually not a fixed fee paid to songwriters.
Rob
April 8, 2019 @ 3:22 pm
I really like this cover. I was never able to get into Isbell like I did Jinks, Sturgill, Stapleton, Brent Cobb, Childers and the others who have came out this decade, but I really enjoyed “Cover Me Up.” I have to say, I like Morgan Wallen’s version better. For those of you who like Isbell’s better, be glad he’s getting exposure for this.
Brendan
April 8, 2019 @ 9:13 pm
At this point Isbell is still larger than this guy, no? Maybe naivety or lack of awareness regarding radio artists on my part, but telling Isbell fans to be glad that this guy (who I’ve never heard of) to be glad he’s getting exposure for the cover seems weird to me.
Red Dog
April 8, 2019 @ 9:42 pm
Isbell’s version is soul-piercing. Wallen’s cover is okay, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Isbell’s. I’m sure Jason is flattered and happy someone is breathing new life into one of his many masterpieces. If radio decides to push the song up the charts, it can only be good for country music and Isbell (who, by the way, is doing just fine in his career).
Trigger
April 8, 2019 @ 11:42 pm
Isbell is probably bigger than Morgan Wallen, but that doesn’t mean Morgan Wallen can’t expose Jason Isbell to a bigger audience. The acoustic video itself has received over 2.6 million views.
Rob
April 9, 2019 @ 5:22 am
Isbell may be bigger than Morgan Wallen, but Morgan Wallen has a certain audience who would have never heard of Jason Isbell or this song were it not for this cover. So it’s just good that the mindless mainstream country fans are getting shown something they otherwise would not have.
Kyle
May 11, 2019 @ 1:34 am
Morgan Wallen triumphs this cover, and is at this point in time on the rise in popularity.
I LOVE how this cover was performed by Wallen, but again I do love both simultaneously due to the pure heart and spirit put into both.
Phil
April 8, 2019 @ 4:37 pm
Proud to say I have no idea who this guy is but I sure as hell know whoJason Isbell is. Jason Isbell is the real deal and a badass performer.
Stu
April 8, 2019 @ 8:43 pm
This was my wife’s and I first song at our wedding. I still get chills when I hear it. I get those same chills hearing Morgan’s version. Nicely done.
Megan
April 8, 2019 @ 9:31 pm
This is an excellent cover. Respectful to the original without being a copy. Nice addition of a steel guitar too.
Before FM
April 9, 2019 @ 5:42 am
Right up until the last line, why! Such a great song watching it live with Amanda on stage is even better.
Throwback Country
April 9, 2019 @ 8:16 am
Will echo a lot of sentiments on here … Wallen did a nice job with the cover, and it’s technically probably performed even better than the original from a musical point of view, but you can’t replace Isbell’s organic heart and first-hand experience. Morgan sings his way through the song; Jason aches through it.
Cool Lester Smooth
April 9, 2019 @ 9:49 am
This song is my go-to “gateway drug” when I try to get friends to listen to “real” country.
The only better song Wallen could have picked is Every Girl, haha!
Wild Billy
April 9, 2019 @ 10:51 am
I could write 3 paragraphs on this situation, but I’ll keep it simple: (1) Is Jason Isbell ok with this?( 2) Is Jason’s accountant ok with this? Cool, then release the song, and everyone gets paid. Its 99% better than the drivel currently on my local “Big Country 101” station.
North Woods Country
April 9, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
Both versions are beautiful and wonderful covers of Isbell’s original song. I’m not going to be rushing to listen to If I Know Me, but this definitely makes me curious about his album cuts. Hopefully this is released as a single, and hopefully the immediate, enthusiastic response it garnered has clued him in on what fans really want. You can’t tell me these guys have no creative control whatsoever. Hopefully he uses this as leverage for his next album.
The only issue I have with him covering this song is that, when asked about its meaning early on, his answer made absolutely zero sense. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about alcoholism when it would most certainly lead new listeners back to Isbell’s struggle with it. I don’t know.
Mamma Coal
April 12, 2019 @ 7:40 am
Wow, I wouldn’t have believed this song could get sexier. But it did.
The Dot
April 23, 2019 @ 5:58 pm
Spotify played it for me today. And I tried to listen fairly. He mumbles and swallows words. Compared to the gold standard of Isbell when he does this live, Morgan needs to just bow to the master and go back to other covers. If this was the first time I’d heard it, I would have skipped. Pale imitation.