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

The 1998 Grammy Award Drama Between LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood Explained

The 1998 Grammy Award Drama Between LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood Explained
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In one of the most memorable moments in country music history, LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood found themselves in a surprising and unprecedented situation at the 1998 Grammy Awards. Both singers had recorded their own versions of the same song—”How Do I Live”—and each earned a Best Country Female Vocal Performance nomination. 

The Backstory Behind a Song Meant for the Big Screen

It all began with “How Do I Live,” written by Diane Warren for the soundtrack of the 1997 Nicolas Cage film Con Air. Initially, the song was recorded by 15-year-old LeAnn Rimes. However, the movie’s producers decided her version had too much of a pop sound for the film. They turned to seasoned country singer Trisha Yearwood to re-record the song with a more traditional country feel. Both versions were released on May 27, 1997—Rimes’ as a standalone single and Yearwood’s as the official track for Con Air.

This unexpected move created a stir in the music world. Fans, radio stations, and media outlets quickly divided, with some preferring Rimes’ youthful, soaring rendition. In contrast, others leaned toward Yearwood’s mature and polished delivery.

The Grammy Showdown with Two Versions of the Same Song

Things escalated even further at the 1998 Grammy Awards. In a first for the Recording Academy, Rolling Stone states that both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood were nominated for Best Country Female Vocal Performance for “How Do I Live.” The situation was unusual, but the tension grew when Rimes was asked to perform the song live during the broadcast, only for Yearwood to be announced as the Grammy winner moments later.

Rimes later admitted her disappointment with the outcome, sharing that she felt “betrayed” by the industry rather than by her fans. Despite the loss, her version of the song was already a commercial juggernaut. It sold over three million copies and spent an incredible 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for the longest-charting single at the time.

Fans Debate Which Version of the Song Comes Out on Top

While Trisha Yearwood may have won the Grammy, the debate over which version of “How Do I Live” is better still lingers. Fans remain divided, with some praising Yearwood’s rich, emotional interpretation, while others favor the raw vulnerability in Rimes’ voice.

A Reddit user, @Lettuce_Kiss143, summed it up perfectly: “Trisha has an amazing voice. However, I like LeAnn’s version of the song better. LeAnn has a bit more feeling behind her words, whereas Trisha is just singing a song.” Another user, @TheOtterpapa, noted that industry insiders felt Yearwood’s mature voice added more depth to the lyrics but admitted, “I still vastly preferred Rimes’ version. I still do.”

Success Followed for Both Singers Despite the Competition

Despite the competition, both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood were winners in their own way. Rimes’ version of “How Do I Live” became one of the best-selling singles of the ’90s. At the same time, Yearwood’s rendition earned her critical acclaim and respect in the industry. Though they were in a unique and somewhat awkward situation, the Grammy moment highlighted their incredible talents.

In the end, the battle over How Do I Live remains one of the most fascinating stories in country music history—one song, two voices, and a lasting legacy that continues to captivate listeners.

Take a moment to listen to both performances and experience how each artist brings their own unique touch to this timeless song.

Latest Stories

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Jana Kramer with husband Allan Russell and her kids outdoors, not taken when she admitted she sometimes skips sunscreen.

Jana Kramer Admits She Skips Sunscreen Sometimes on Her Kids and Feels Fine About It

“Come at me.” That’s Jana Kramer’s whole vibe right now, and boy, they sure are. Turns out you don’t have to drop a scandalous album or torch an ex on ...

Kenny Rogers’ twin sons Justin and Jordan just turned 21 and fans say they look just like the late country music legend now.

Kenny Rogers’ Twin Sons Just Turned 21 and Fans Say They Look Just Like Him Now

A couple of chocolate cakes, two wide grins, and a whole lot of “They look just like their daddy”. That’s how Kenny Rogers’ twin sons rang in their milestone 21st ...

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Sometimes you need an old outlaw to call out what everyone else is too polite to say out loud. Back when Nashville was shape-shifting in the ’80s and ’90s, country ...