Don’t Close Your Eyes is a country song written by Bob McDill, and recorded by American country music artist Keith Whitley. It was released in March 1988 as the third single from his album of the same name. The song reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated August 13, 1988. After it became available for digital download, the song has sold 475,000 digital copies in the United States as of March 2019.
The song is a mid-tempo ballad about a man who is dying and asking his loved one to not close their eyes so that they can be together in spirit. Whitley’s vocals are sincere and heartfelt, and they bring the song to life.
Background and writing
Bob McDill wrote Don’t Close Your Eyes in 1987. He was inspired to write the song after the death of his father. McDill has said that the song is about “the power of love and how it can transcend death.”
Recording and production
Don’t Close Your Eyes was recorded in 1987 at the Music Row Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The song was produced by Garth Fundis. Fundis is a Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Reba McEntire.
Release and commercial performance
Don’t Close Your Eyes was released in March 1988 as the third single from Whitley’s album of the same name. The song reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated August 13, 1988. It also reached number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Don’t Close Your Eyes was a critical and commercial success. The song was praised by critics for its beautiful lyrics and Whitley’s heartfelt vocals. The song was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies.
Impact and legacy
Don’t Close Your Eyes is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about the power of love, and it is a reminder that love can transcend death. Whitley’s version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Keith Whitley was one of the most influential country singers of all time. He had a long and successful career, and he won numerous awards. Whitley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He died in 1989 at the age of 33.
Here are some additional facts about the song:
- The song was written by Bob McDill.
- The song was recorded in 1987 at the Music Row Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The song was produced by Garth Fundis.
- The song reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated August 13, 1988.
- The song was a critical and commercial success.
- The song is considered to be one of the greatest country songs of all time.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Don’t Close Your Eyes. If you are a fan of country music or if you are simply looking for a beautiful and moving song to listen to, then I highly recommend Don’t Close Your Eyes.
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