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

Remembering Keith Whitley and His Classic Hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes”

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.

Keith Whitley released “Don’t Close Your Eyes” as the third single of his album of the same name in 1988. It shot straight to No. 1 on the country charts, while peaking at No. 2 in Canada. It also became Billboard’s No. 1 country Single of The Year.

Written by Bob McDill, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” tells the tale of a man in love with a woman who is still trapped in the memories of her past relationship, escaping into thoughts of him every time she closes her eyes.

“Don’t close your eyes. Let it be me. Don’t pretend it’s him, in some fantasy. Darling, just once, let yesterday go. And you’ll find more love than you’ll ever know. Just hold me tight when you love me tonight. And don’t close your eyes,” the man begs her.

Alan Jackson has since covered the heartbreaking love ballad for Keith Whitley’s 1995 tribute album, as well as by Kellie Pickler for the deluxe edition of her 2008 self-titled second album.

From Bluegrass To Country Music Superstar

From the moment Keith Whitley embarked on a music career, success followed closely behind. The Kentucky-born singer actually got his start in bluegrass music. Whitley played in a band called the East Kentucky Mountain Boys with Opry legend Ricky Skaggs before both were discovered by Ralph Stanley and invited to join his Clinch Mountain Boys in 1970.

After a years-long career in the bluegrass genre, Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 to pursue a country music career where he had gained the legendary status and had charted 19 singles on the Billboard country charts. 

With songs like “When You Say Nothing At All,” “No Stranger In The Rain,” “Miami, My Amy,” and “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” it was clear that Whitley was in a league of his own. There hadn’t been a singer who could portray emotions as he could.

However, Whitley had his fair share of demons, and that ultimately took his life in 1989 – dying from alcohol poisoning at only 33 years old. Five of Whitley’s first solo singles would top the charts, but he would only live to see three of them go to the top.

Keith Whitley’s life may have been taken away much earlier, yet his music and spirit are alive and well, living in the hearts and lives of fans that cling dearly to this star’s timeless talent. You can watch his breathtaking performance of the heartbreaking ballad in the video below.

 

Latest Stories

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 ...

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen isn’t just wowing crowds on his One Night at a Time tour; he’s also rocking the world of music education. Through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, ...

Luke Combs and Eric Church's Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Country music superstars Luke Combs and Eric Church united for a powerful cause, headlining the “Concert for Carolina” to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. The star-studded event, held at Bank ...

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

When you think of Brad Paisley, you probably picture the quick-witted country star with a guitar in hand and a string of chart-toppers behind him. But there’s much more to ...

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with "Suspicious Minds" Cover

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with “Suspicious Minds” Cover

Elvis Presley’s influence on music is undeniable, and his legacy inspires generations. His 1969 hit “Suspicious Minds” remains a signature track, capturing love, conflict, and heartbreak themes. Decades later, country ...

Alan Jackson Stops "Pop a Top" at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

Alan Jackson Stops “Pop a Top” at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

It’s always remarkable when country legends support each other, especially on music’s biggest stages. Alan Jackson’s unforgettable tribute to George Jones at the 1999 CMA Awards was one such moment, ...

Ben Haggard Pays Tribute to His Dad with "Sing Me Back Home"

Ben Haggard Pays Tribute to His Dad with “Sing Me Back Home”

Stepping into the spotlight with a last name like Haggard carries immense weight. Still, Ben Haggard embraces it with remarkable grace and sincerity. As the youngest son of the legendary ...

Vince Gill and Alison Krauss' Soulful Duet of "Tryin' to Get Over You"

Vince Gill and Alison Krauss’ Soulful Duet of “Tryin’ to Get Over You”

Heartbreak has never sounded as hauntingly beautiful as when Vince Gill and Alison Krauss come together to perform “Tryin’ to Get Over You.” In this breathtaking live duet, their voices ...

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Surprise at Tyler Perry Play

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Surprise at Tyler Perry Play

On February 14, 2020, Nashville concertgoers were treated to an unforgettable surprise during Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Tour stop at Bridgestone Arena. It wasn’t just Madea that left the crowd ...

Allie Colleen Honors Keith Whitley with a Heartfelt Cover of "Don't Close Your Eyes"

Allie Colleen Honors Keith Whitley with a Heartfelt Cover of “Don’t Close Your Eyes”

In 2015, Allie Colleen—daughter of country icon Garth Brooks—delivered a touching tribute to Keith Whitley with her rendition of “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” Shared on her Facebook page, the performance ...

1 thought on “Remembering Keith Whitley and His Classic Hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes””

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.