Over the years, countless outstanding artists, including Elvis Presley, Slim Whitman, and Ricky Van Shelton, have covered the Southern gospel classic titled “Mansion Over the Hilltop.”
The song was written by Ira Stanphill and initially released by Jimmie Davis in 1951. However, it wasn’t until Elvis Presley recorded his rendition with the Jordanaires in his album “His Hand in Mine” in 1960 that the song gained widespread fame.
Since then, the song has been a favorite among musicians and listeners, with Ricky Van Shelton, the world’s most famous mysterious country singer, releasing his own version in 1992 as part of his “Don’t Overlook Salvation” album.
Even though his version did not chart, it is nevertheless regarded as one of Ricky Van Shelton’s biggest hits since it is the type of song that brings out his vocals from beginning to end.
For You
Ricky Van Shelton’s Covered Version
Award-winning country singer Ricky Van Shelton adds his spin to the 1950s classic, giving it a modern musical feel. Compared to the original version, he decided to sing the song in a much lower tone to better accentuate the emotional message behind each lyric.
He uses his velvety, rich seasoned voice with the soft strums of the guitar, giving it a distinct memorable touch. Nonetheless, both versions have beautifully expressed the song’s genuine meaning.
Watch Ricky Van Shelton’s version of “Mansion Over the Hilltop” yourself. Just click on the video below.
