Burl Ives - The original recording of Ghost Riders In The Sky

This is the first recording ever of this famous song in February 1949. Vaughn Monroe's big baritone and orchestra version became a number one hit a month later, but it's great to listen to Burl sing this much simpler version, just his clear tenor voice and strumming on an acoustic guitar.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Burl
• Ives
• Ghost
• Riders
• In
• The
• Sky

[philaboston]

was this the first recording of this song? Who was the first artist to record and release this song?

[leofosse]

@philaboston As I wrote in the introduction, this is the first recording and release. A month later in 1949, Vaughn Monroe released the version that was the first big hit.

[RossM3838]

Vaughn Monroe had the hit but this is the keeper. Monroe's also a keeper but this is more haunting. The Outlaws rock it better than anyother rockers however.

[leofosse]

@RossM3838 I agree. No disrespect to Vaughn Monroe's version and I understand how it would be more commercial. I was just taken aback when I heard for the first time in 2010. I'm so happy so many people have stopped by to listen to it and I hope some have punked down 99 cent on iTunes to buy it.

[ATStrategies]

I have heard a few versions of this song and this seems like the best! I didn't know he had such a range in his voice. Quiet/loud/low/high The "yippee-aye-oh" part sounds like it was done with an echo effect, but it wasn't, this was 1949. Just Ives in a studio with a banjo player.

[leofosse]

@ATStrategies That's not a banjo, it's Ives strumming a guitar. This version is all him, which makes it very different from every other version I've heard. I don't know if he still had this range when he got older.

[hammerogod]

This is something very special.

Burl Ives never came close to getting the credit and recognition he deserved, both as a Pioneer of Folk Music and as an Actor.

The man practically invented Folk Music.

As an Actor he was magical.

Just watch "Wind Across the Everglades" or "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" or "Desire Under the Elms" and try to take your eyes off of him when he is on screen.

He owned every scene he was in.

[TheM1cwbm]

Love it!!! Thanks for sharing.

[deerjohn51]

I always loved Johnny Cash's version, but this is great.

[dave19854]

yippeeeee iiiiiiiiii ayyyeeeeeeeeeeeee

[BurtShank]

This was the version I grew up hearing. I later heard Vaughn Monroe's, which was an impressive arrangement, but I will always think of the Burl Ives rendition as the classic by which all other must be judged. His will always be the best.

[geronimoijon]

wow what a voice, this men is a good frind from james dean

[BlaCK1Venom]

MAGICAL !!!!!

[ThatDifferentDude]

This is great stuff. I liked it when music was sincere.

[dybbuk4640]

the outlaws do a great rendition of this great song, too.

[nubs1946]

Great Music history. Thank you. 

[myrtlemaid]

heard loads of guitar solo versions of this but never heard the sung version.. and nice to hear the orig version