Garth Brooks has been one of the biggest names in country music since he released his debut single “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)” in 1989. Over the next decade, he dominated the radio waves, sent 18 singles to the top of the Billboard country charts, and packed a trophy case with genre awards. While he isn’t as active as he once was, Brooks remains a favorite among fans of all ages.
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A decade after making his debut, Brooks was still on top of the world. He won Artist of the Decade and Entertainer of the Year at the 1999 Academy of Country Music Awards. Brooks also took the stage to perform his latest No. 1 single “To Make You Feel My Love.” Watch the heartfelt performance below.
Brooks originally recorded “To Make You Feel My Love” for the 1998 film Hope Floats. His rendition of the Bob Dylan-penned song went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Additionally, it resulted in two Grammy Nominations. It earned Brooks the nod for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and put Dylan in the running for Best Country Song.
Garth Brooks Recalls Recording “To Make You Feel My Love”
“Every artist looks for that one song where the fans write in and they say, ‘This was me and my husband’s first dance at our wedding’ or ‘This is what we fell in love to.’ My change came in 1995, they were shooting a movie called Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock,” he recalled.
Forrest Whitaker called Brooks and invited him to watch an early screening of the film and discuss adding a song to the soundtrack. Initially, Brooks was disappointed when he learned that they wanted him to record a cover song for the film. Then, he learned that he’d be covering a Bob Dylan song. That changed his attitude.
“You’re the coolest, luckiest guy if you get to do Dylan’s stuff, man. This guy is a genius. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m going to try to BS my way all night long but Dylan is gonna shoot you straight from his heart to yours,” he said of the legendary songwriter.
Brooks later included the song as a bonus track on Fresh Horses in the re-issue contained in his first Limited Series box set. It would also appear on future pressings of the album.
Featured Image Frank Micelotta Archive / Contributor/Getty Images
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