Contrary to what many people know, B.J. Thomas was the first singer to record the hit song “Always On My Mind” in 1970, not Willie Nelson. Although there is no doubt that Nelson made the song popular, it was Thomas who first introduced the song to the public.
Written by songwriter Wayne Carson Thompson, the song simply talks about the regrets a person feels after taking someone they love for granted. Since many people of the past and today can relate to the song’s message, it instantly became one of the most iconic songs in country music history.
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Despite many artists’ efforts to release their renditions of the song, B.J. Thomas’s original version still has a unique feel that sets it apart from the others.
B.J. Thomas Original Version
Despite him being the original singer of the song, B.J. Thomas’s version of “Always On My Mind” didn’t receive much attention from listeners. It was not until Gwen McCrae and Brenda Lee released their versions in 1972 that the song started gaining chart success.
The song was initially offered to Fred Foster, who turned it down. So when B.J. Thomas recorded the song in 1970, his version wouldn’t get an official release for over a quarter of a century—only surfacing on his Collector’s Edition compilation in 1996.
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It was only in 1972 that Gwen McCrae’s version was officially released with a slightly different title, “You Were Always On My Mind.” Since then, the song has been a staple hit among country listeners.
So, if you haven’t checked it out, you can watch B.J. Thomas’ powerful performance of “Always On My Mind” below.
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