Why is Gary Allan’s Cover of Best I Ever Had So Heartfelt

Before Gary Allan covered the song “Best I Ever Had,” Vertical Horizon, an American Alternative rock band, initially recorded it. It was for their fourth album, titled “Everything You Want,” released in 1999. In 2001, the band released the song as a single. It became the band’s third consecutive top-ten hit song on the Billboard Adult Top 40 charts. 

When 2005 came, the iconic country music singer covered the track for his Tough All Over album. “Best I Ever Had” got chosen as the album’s first single. It became Gary Allan‘s eighth top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, peaking at the No. 7 spot late in 2005. 

The song debuted on June 11, 2005, at No. 56 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs. It rapidly became Gary Allan’s best-selling single and remained that way until 2012. 

What most people don’t know about Gary Allan and his cover of the Best I Ever Had, is the sad story of why he covered the song. Allan decided to remake the song because his wife took her own life. 

According to the stories, his wife, who wasn’t feeling well, asked Allan to get Coke from downstairs. Not long after that, he heard a popping sound. When he returned to their bedroom, Allan discovered his wife had taken the gun from his safe under their bed and ended her life. 

The painful message behind his cover is perhaps why many people connect with it. The pain in Gary Allan’s voice is noticeable in his version of the song, which he sings with plenty of sincerity. You could say that on this cover, he gave the best he ever had in terms of vocal performance. 

While many already considered the original song an excellent piece, Gary Allan’s version of “Best I Ever Had” certainly took the track to greater heights. If you want to listen to it, you can click here.