1992 Country Song Wasn't Expected to Be a Success-Then It Hit No. 1
Billy Ray Cyrus rocked the country music world in the early '90s with the release of "Achy Breaky Heart" - but the famous song wasn't always so popular.
Prior to Cyrus' recording of the catchy country tune, "Achy Breaky Heart," was turned down by another country act who passed on the song, only for it to later become a massive hit that would break records and launch Cyrus to stardom.
According to American Songwriter, "Achy Breaky Heart," written by an amateur songwriter named Don Von Tress, had already been pitched to the Oak Ridge Boys before Cyrus recorded it, but the group passed after not loving the "achy breaky" phrasing.
It had also been recorded by the Marcy Brothers before Cyrus put his spin on it. The trio, made up of brothers Kevin, Kris and Kendall Marcy, released it on their 1991 self-titled album, though it was named "Don't Break My Heart" at the time.
But it was Cyrus' 1991 recording that would bring "Achy Breaky Heart" unexpected mainstream success, despite Von Tress previously admitting he was just "fooling around on the guitar and drum machine" when the song was born, per Country Living.
After Cyrus' version was released in April 1991, it took less than two months for it to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, where it stayed for a five-week reign. It became the first country single to go platinum in nearly a decade, following the success of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's 1983 duet "Islands in the Stream. "Achy Breaky Heart" even inspired a dance to go along with it, which helped line dancing go mainstream.
The song would live to be featured and referenced in a number of popular shows, such as The Simpsons, South Park, Hart of Dixie, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and more. It was also frequently referenced in episodes of Hannah Montana, starring Cyrus and his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
According to Cyrus, he always knew the song was going to be something special. He wrote in his 2013 memoir Hillbilly Heart, "Once I got a hold of it, I never let that song out of my grasp." (via Country Living.)
The Oak Ridge Boys, however, would live to regret passing up on the song, a decision ultimately made by lead vocalist Duane Allen. Fellow band member Joe Bonsall told Country Weekly in 1998, "It's one of the few times we kind of tanked...Duane still shakes his head about that one today."
Related: 1957 Jukebox Classic Became a No. 1 Hit 69 Years Ago Today
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 8:15 AM.