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

Listen to Mickey Giley’s Stunning Rendition of the Classic “Stand By Me”

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.

Stand by Me is one of the most beloved classics of our time and has been covered time and time again. For this rendition, country artist Mickey Gilley has provided us with a stunning rendition, featured in the movie Urban Cowboy.

Mickey Gilley’s Rendition

The original song was by Ben E. King, a singer-songwriter who was inspired to update the early 20th-century gospel hymn by Charles Albert Tindley. The original gospel was based around a psalm:

“will not we fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

According to the documentary History of Rock ‘n’ Roll. King had no intention of recording the song himself. His first intention was for the song to go to The Drifters, an R&B Doo-whoop soul group. However, when they passed on it, he had the idea to record it himself.

Mickey Giley, Mickey, Giley, Urban Cowboy
via Mickey Giley’s Official Facebook Page

Gilley released his version of the song in 1980, and it was included in both the album and the movie called Urban Cowboy. It was considered his eighth #1 on the US Country charts and also received #22 on the US Hot 100. It added to his other hits such as covers of the songs “Bring It On Home To Me,” “Window Up Above,” and “City Lights.”

Mickey Giley, Mickey, Giley, Urban Cowboy
via Mickey Gilley’s Official Facebook Page

His recent moves in country music, Gilley teamed up with longtime friend Troy Payne to record Two Old Cats, a record containing 13 duets.

Urban Cowboy

Urban Cowboy is a 1980 American romantic drama film. The plot consists of a love-hate relationship between Buford Davis and Sissy. The film captured the late 1970’s and early 1980’s popularity of country music. Much of the action centers around activities at Gilley’s Club, a football-field-sized honky-tonk in Texas.

Mickey Giley, Mickey, Giley, Urban Cowboy
via Discogs

Listen to the amazing rendition below!

Want to make your everyday country? You can visit us at our official Facebook page!

Latest Stories

How Alan Jackson's "Remember When" Became a Tribute to Love and Lifelong Memories

How Alan Jackson’s “Remember When” Became a Tribute to Love and Lifelong Memories

A few songs capture the essence of love, time, and life’s shared moments, such as Alan Jackson’s “Remember When.” Released in 2003, the song became an instant country classic, known ...

Eight-Year-Old Shines in Adorable Cover of "When You Say Nothing At All"

Eight-Year-Old Shines in Adorable Cover of “When You Say Nothing At All”

Country music has a special way of bringing people together, and sometimes, it’s the youngest voices that remind us just how powerful a song can be. Eight-year-old Alex Malone has ...

Three-Year-Old's Heartfelt Cover of "Angels Among Us" Melts Hearts Everywhere

Three-Year-Old’s Heartfelt Cover of “Angels Among Us” Melts Hearts Everywhere

Country music has a way of reaching across generations, connecting listeners of all ages through the power of its stories and melodies. But when a three-year-old child takes on a ...

How The Judds' Debut Album 'Why Not Me' Transformed Country Music Forever

How The Judds’ Debut Album ‘Why Not Me’ Transformed Country Music Forever

In the mid-1980s, country music was ripe for a fresh sound, and The Judds delivered just that when they released their debut album, Why Not Me, on October 15, 1984. ...

How the CMA, CMT, and ACM Awards Differ in Country Music's Biggest Celebrations

How the CMA, CMT, and ACM Awards Differ in Country Music’s Biggest Celebrations

Every year, three major award shows take the stage to celebrate the heart and soul of country music: the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, and CMT Music Awards. These nights are ...

The Story and Meaning Behind Jelly Roll’s Heartfelt Song “I Am Not Okay”

The Story and Meaning Behind Jelly Roll’s Heartfelt Song “I Am Not Okay”

Jelly Roll’s “I Am Not Okay” delivers a deeply personal message at a time when many people are quietly struggling with their mental health. Released in June 2024, the song ...

The Surprising Inspiration Behind Toby Keith's Hit "Should've Been a Cowboy"

The Surprising Inspiration Behind Toby Keith’s Hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”

One night in Dodge City, Kansas, Toby Keith found himself standing in a hotel bathroom, scribbling down lyrics in the dim light. It wasn’t exactly a scene you’d imagine for ...

Is "Harper Valley PTA" Based on Real Life? The Truth Behind Jeannie C. Riley's Hit

Is “Harper Valley PTA” Based on Real Life? The Truth Behind Jeannie C. Riley’s Hit

Jeannie C. Riley’s 1968 smash hit, “Harper Valley PTA,” has stood the test of time, captivating listeners with its bold lyrics about standing up to hypocrisy. The song tells the ...

67-Year-Old Jeannie C. Riley Sings "Harper Valley PTA" Like It's 1968

67-Year-Old Jeannie C. Riley Sings “Harper Valley PTA” Like It’s 1968

Jeannie C. Riley, a trailblazer in country music, continues to showcase her legendary talent decades after making history. In 2012, during a New Year’s Eve celebration, Riley reunited with Nashville ...

Who Is Amber Cochran Gilbert? Meet the Woman Behind Brantley Gilbert's Greatest Love Story

Who Is Amber Cochran Gilbert? Meet the Woman Behind Brantley Gilbert’s Greatest Love Story

October 11, 2024, was not a typical night for country star Brantley Gilbert. A backstage emergency pulled him off as he performed at Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi. His ...

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.