Chad’s Favorite Versions of “Always on My Mind” [Video]

Country music icon, Willie Nelson, is coming to The Centre in Evansville TONIGHT.  Willie  is bringing his Willie Nelson & Family tour to town and we have been celebrating over the last couple of months with ticket giveaways and more.  A few weeks ago, we had a TAD POLL about Willie during The WBKR Waking Crew.  And that poll was . . . What is YOUR favorite Willie Nelson song?  I don't have to hesitate a second to name mine.  It's Willie's classic "Always on My Mind."  And, I must say, there are several versions of that song I absolutely love.  While Brenda Lee recorded the original version, it's a handful of covers that are on my mind.  Check these out.

Willie Nelson, of course, delivered what many believe to be the definitive version of "Always on My Mind."  His 1982 version won a Grammy and spent two weeks atop the Billboard Country chart and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  And, is there any disputing why?  This was incredible 30 years ago and it's incredible today.  Here's Willie singing it live . . .

http://youtu.be/R7f189Z0v0Y

My all-time favorite version of Willie's song was actually a rather unexpected rendition of it by 80's pop/rock group Pet Shop Boys.  Do you remember this?  They turned a classic country ballad into a rousing, techno pop smash. Here's the Pet Shop Boys doing the song live from Wembley Arena in 1989.

http://youtu.be/cXB0ebsc-z0

The Pet Shop Boys' version of Willie's "Always on My Mind" peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart in 1987 and was, oddly enough, their final Top Ten hit.

Another version of this song that I love comes from Season 3 of American Idol, when eventual champion Fantasia Barrino put the brakes on her R&B-flavored theatrics to give this simple and beautiful rendition.  Loved this then . . . and I love it now.

And then there's The King!  Here's rehearsal footage of Elvis singing it live.

Believe it or not, Elvis didn't really score a big hit with his take on the song.  His version topped out at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.  But, you know what?  I love it.

I have no doubts you'll be hearing Willie Nelson sing "Always on My Mind" tonight at The Centre in Evansville.  If you still need tickets for the show, here's all the info you need...

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY

TONIGHT

AIKEN THEATRE AT THE CENTRE

 7:30PM

 Ticket locations

The Centre ticket office & all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.  To get YOUR seats, CLICK HERE!

Ticket prices

$59.50 / $39.50 (plus applicable fees)

All Seats Reserved