Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Trisha Yearwood’s “Workin on Whiskey” Features Kelly Clarkson’s Powerful Vocals

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.
If you’re in the mood for a whiskey-soaked, classic country heartbreak song, Trisha Yearwood got one for you. The two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year released “Workin on Whiskey” in 2019 as the opening track of her album, Every Girl. And for some added treat, it featured harmony vocals from Yearwood’s friend, Kelly Clarkson. Indeed, the song paired up two of the strongest female voices in the music industry.

Yearwood Wrestling With Heartache And Shadows From The Past

Written by Jessica Mitchell, Dave Thompson, and Patricia Conroy, “Workin’ on Whiskey” is a song about “a situation you want to change, but can’t,” Yearwood said in a press release. Yearwood wrestles with heartache and shadows from the past in this emotional power ballad. Backed by keening guitars, Yearwood’s vocals move from delicately tender to powerfully agonizing as she equates romance with hard liquor. “I start seein’ things I shouldn’t see. And wanting things I shouldn’t be. And wrestlin’ with the memory. That won’t let me go. I’ve tried and tried to give you up. But once you’ve had the strong stuff. Nothin’ else will be enough, so I’ll be workin’ on whiskey,” she sings. Yearwood’s solo vocal performance – with her soaring, crystal-clear vocals full of soul – carried the first two verses and the first chorus. Kelly Clarkson then joined her to provide richly textured harmony vocals in the second chorus, giving the back end of the song a thrilling lift as the weeping steel guitar also builds to a climax. “Workin’ on Whiskey” is absolutely an epic emotional standout delivered by two of the best. Yearwood compares Clarkson to a “unicorn” who is “always on pitch. She comes in, and she nails it. When you want that strong, soaring harmony, nobody does it like her. She’s just a little sister — fun and with all this energy.” In addition to “Workin’ on Whiskey,” Clarkson also appeared on another track from the Yearwood’s album titled “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.” Every Girl was Yearwood’s fifteenth studio recording, and it comes at a time when the discussion about women in country music turned to their faded presence. In fact, Yearwood said that the country music industry had changed a lot for women — and unfortunately, it’s not for the better. “I wasn’t going to submit the album to radio; I didn’t know what the game was anymore,” she said. When she began making music in the early 1990s, plenty of women were making country albums. “But something has gone the other way,” Yearwood added. “That’s been the hardest part — trying to understand why that’s happening.” On the brighter side, she sees positive things happening; this includes younger singers paying homage to the older artists. “I feel like we’re in this together,” she said. “We’re often pitted against each other, but when we join together, we’re a force to reckon with.” Tune in below and listen to “Workin’ on Whiskey” from two of the most powerful voices in country music.

Latest Stories

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.