Gwen McCrae, You Were Always On My Mind | Throwback Vibez

In the 35^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “You Were Always On My Mind” by Gwen McCrae.  

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 35^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “You Were Always On My Mind” performed by Gwen McCrae.

“Maybe I didn’t treat you / Quite as good as I should have / Maybe I didn’t love you / Quite as often as I should have.” If you did not know, Willie Nelson was NOT the first musician to record or release “You Were Always On My Mind” .  Let that sink in… The country music legend won the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance Male for Always On My Mind, while the ‘single’ was nominated for Record of the Year at the 25^th Annual Grammy Awards.  Brenda Lee, of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” fame, was the first to record it in 1971. The late  Gwen McCrae (1943 – 2025), renowned for her top 10 hit, “Rockin’ Chair”, was the first musician to release the Johnny Christopher, Wayne Carson, and Mark James-penned classic.

Gwen McCrae kills it on “You Were Always On My Mind.” Her voice is perfection – her tone is delightful. McCrae brings a cool, calm, and collected approach to the ballad, while packing a mighty punch. She never sounds as if she perspires while singing yet soulfulness oozes, particularly when the melody becomes harmonized beginning at the end of the first verse. The second verse, “Maybe I didn’t hold you / All those lonely, lonely times…,” retains these stunning harmonizations, over a marvelous, county-soul musical backdrop.  One of the high water marks of her performance is the bridge section, where she sings, “Tell, tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn’t died / Give to me, give me one more chance / To keep you satisfied, satisfied.” “You Were Always On My Mind” is considered an ace-in-the-hole for the iconic Willie Nelson. But, let us give the late, great Gwen McCrae for her beautiful original release. R.I.P.!

Gwen McCrae // Lay It On Me: The Columbia Years // Sony Music Entertainment // 2011

Gwen McCrae, You Were Always On My Mind: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 35 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]