Burl Ives - Ghost Riders In The Sky

This was a hugh #1 hit for Vaughn Nonroe in 1949. It was also recorded by
Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby and later by Frankie Laine and Johnnie Cash to name a few. But this was the first recording of this great song.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Burl
• Ives
• Vaughn
• Monroe
• Peggy
• Lee
• Frankie
• Laine
• Ghost
• Riders

[enlightenedspartan]

Wow... this is FANTASTIC. The best recording of this, with the blue grass guitar. I love Jonny & Highymen, but THIS ROCKS... he made this song famous back in 1949.

[markalson1938]

@enlightenedspartan Yes Burl did a fantastic job on this great western song. But he is not the one who made it famous back in 1949. That was done by Vaughn Monroe

who had the biggest hit of this song and no one has been able to top him. His recording sold several million copies over the years no one else has even come close.

[vamolas]

The picture I get from Vaughn’s version is a western movie in action. From the version of Burl Ives it’s more like narrating a tale... There are a lot of magnificent songs in 50’s! Great upload!

[markalson1938]

@vamolas You are so right about this. I just love old Western Movies. But then again I also like to sit around and lisen to an Old Timer tell his tall tails also

[vamolas]

I think it is indeed better than Vaughn Monroe's version. The vocals are better, as for the music background I understand the point althouth I find this one better as well cause it is more traditional and that makes it more descriptive. Both of them are great.

[markalson1938]

@vamolas Burl was a "Folk Singer" and all his music tended to lean that way. Vaughn

was a "Big Band" Leader and singer his take on a song went in that direction. It depends a great deal on your age and where you grew up that shapes your taste in music. It doesn't make one better than the other, but it does to the person lisening to it. Me I grew up with the big Band Sounds. But I do like Bur Ives.

"

[kkslider55]

It sounds like James Bond at first.

[penguinejb]

@markalson1938 Burl was the first to do the song in February '48. Vaughn's came less than a month later. On another note, I've always been partial to the Johnny Cash version

[VonNashman]

@enlightenedspartan This, of course, isn't the 1949 version. You'll be able to hear Burl's '49 version if you poke around youtube enough.

[tnsodbuster]

@markalson1938 sorry Gene Autry made it famous in 1949 in an episode of his COWBOY show even renamed the episode riders in the sky i think the songs writer S.Jones was on the show too (not real sure)

[HERVEG1600]

simplement magnifique

[lindaecharest]

love his singing and his songs



[intercomsec]

Can anyone remember a TV Rin Tin Tin episode that featured this song?

[YeahRightInc]

Does anyone know if that was Grady Martin playing those great guitar licks? Sounds like him to me.

[scottyswagger24]

this man could sing

[MrRahimi5]

thank you so much for the response and the original recording.

[leofosse]

@Badboi1016 Now it's 12 people and one of them knows Burl's original version. Take a listen in the response.