Time Proves Vince Gill’s ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ as Platinum
Chart placements, annual sales and streaming numbers, and glowing reviews aren’t the true testament to the importance of a piece of music. Time is. Over time, the fortitude of a song or album is tested rigorously, either becoming a product of its era and dated, or forged over a prolonged period to be rendered timeless. Vince Gill’s song “Go Rest High On That Mountain” is one of the latter, rising to become one of those songs audiences will be listening to 100 years from now.
It wasn’t a hit when it was released in 1995. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” stalled at #14 on the charts. And this was during the peak of Vince Gill’s commercial era. 21 of the 23 songs Gill released between 1990 and 1998 hit the Top 10, including 11 songs that were either #1 or #2. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” was the outlier. But on August 2nd, 2023 the song became Vince Gill’s first ever Certified Platinum single via the RIAA.
Gill has three Platinum Certified albums, but this is a first for one of his songs.
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” was written by Vince Gill himself, and was recorded in 1994 to appear on his album When Love Finds You. But Gill had started to write the song many years before, in 1989 after the tragic death of Keith Whitley. He never quite got the song to where he wanted it to be though, and it remained on the shelf. It was the death of Gill’s older brother Bob in 1993 that inspired him to pick the song back up and complete it.
Neither Keith Whitley nor brother Bob are named in the song directly. Whitley is alluded to though, with his song “I’m No Stranger To The Rain” referenced in the first verse. But the ambiguity is one of the many elements that has helped “Go Rest High On That Mountain” to become so favored by people looking to pick out the perfect song for a funeral. It was also one of the reasons that when it was released in 1995, it somewhat failed to resonate with people. It just felt too dour, too morbid for country radio at that time.
The song was recorded with harmony vocals from Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless, both of whom were from Whitley’s native Kentucky. Ricky Skaggs had grown up with Whitley, and the two got their start in country music when they auditioned for Ralph Stanley’s band and won spots. Skaggs and Whitley also played in J.D. Crowe’s band The New South, though at separate times. Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs had also been in a band together in the ’70s called Boone Creek.
Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs reprised their roles in the music video for the song, which was filmed at the Ryman Auditorium. In 1995, the Ryman was mostly shuttered and abandoned, making the appearance of the Mother Church in the video much more rare than it is today. Though a silhouetted woman plays the crucial fiddle part in the video, in the studio it was performed by Stuart Duncan.
Despite “Go Rest High On That Mountain” facing headwinds commercially, it was recognized by peers and critics as a landmark song immediately. In 1996, it won Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song from the Grammy Awards, as well as the CMA Song of the Year. Soon after, the song began to be selected for the eulogies of country fans and their families.
But the song still remained more in the domain of dedicated country music fans arguably until May 2, 2013, when Vince Gill performed the song with Patty Loveless by his side at the funeral for George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry House. When presented as the penultimate performance of the ceremony—and with Gill struggling to make it through—it solidified its place in the pantheon of American eulogies, and perhaps as one of the greatest country songs of all time.
The legacy and appreciation for “Go Rest High On That Mountain” has only grown since then, making it arguably one of the signature songs from Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, and one of the signature songs of country music. Even people who are not fans of country music have heard the song at a funeral, and it still resonates with them whenever they hear it.
The legacy of “Go Rest High On That Mountain” is one that teaches that country music isn’t just here to entertain. It is here to heal. And few have the healing power, and present such grace and adulation for a fallen friend, loved one, or fellow country great than “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”
August 9, 2023 @ 8:22 am
Like so many others this song was played at my grandpas funeral by a local musician and family friend. My grandpa was a great fiddle and mandolin player and loved music which he instilled in l his kids and us grand kids. For years I couldn’t listen to this song, I couldn’t make it through it. Now over 15 years later I still have a hard time listening to it all the way without tears coming to my eyes.
A truly beautiful piece of music that’s so rare. To me it’s one of the finest songs ever written/performed of any genre that I’ve heard. A truly deserving song of any and all accolades.
August 9, 2023 @ 8:29 am
I know most country music fans say He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today is the best country song ever. And it is hard to argue with that. But damn this song is pretty close to it and still brings a tear to my eye.
August 9, 2023 @ 8:42 am
If you dont tear up watching Vince and Patty sing Go Rest High at George’s funeral you’d better check our pulse.
August 9, 2023 @ 8:43 am
Great overview of such a timeless song! I host a radio show focused on 60s-early 90s country and we get multiple requests a week for that one and “Look At Us.” Those are the go-to funeral and anniversary songs.
“In 1996, it won Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song from the Grammy Awards, but came up short of CMA or ACM Awards.”
The song did win the CMA for Song of the Year in 96. Vince, who was also hosting the show, was very emotional and simply said, “This is too hard to speak about, so just ‘thank you.’”
August 9, 2023 @ 9:01 am
Weird because the CMA win is not listed either in Gill’s bio or on his Wikipedia page under his awards or on the page for the song itself. I double checked this because I thought it had won. But triple checking with the CMA and you’re right, it was the CMA Song of the Year in 1996.
August 9, 2023 @ 9:37 am
I was a country radio announcer in Colorado Springs from 1992-1999 and you’re exactly right, “It was just too dour, too morbid for country radio at the time.” The song was a momentum killer during morning and afternoon drive, but listeners loved it. It truly is a beautiful, touching song.
August 9, 2023 @ 8:53 am
Though my brother died in 89, my parents kind of adopted this song for him when this song came out in 94. I agree it is one of the greatest songs of all time. Like you say, time is what decides if something is great or how great it is anyway.
August 9, 2023 @ 9:04 am
Thank you so much for this.
August 9, 2023 @ 9:21 am
It’s hard to believe that this is his only platinum song – and that it is only now achieving that status.
This song is part of American culture. I don’t think I have been to a single funeral in the last 25 years where it wasn’t played.
August 9, 2023 @ 9:27 am
Well, “G.B.T.U.S.A.” is Lee Greenwood’s only platinum single and it, too was not a big hit when it was originally released, making it only into the lower rungs of the Country top-10 and nowhere on the pop chart. Some records are like that.
August 9, 2023 @ 10:13 am
My brother and I used to describe the success of singles in a baseball way. Some songs are like a high pop up that is caught just beyond the infield and others are line drives that never reach the same height but last a lot longer and have a greater impact.
Go Rest High was also the sixth single from When Love Finds You. Can an album suffer from fatigue? Most big albums stopped at 5 singles at that time.
August 9, 2023 @ 10:23 am
Performances where the artists show such raw emotion when they are performing are some of the absolute best performances. This performance is right up there with the all-time best country performances.
August 13, 2023 @ 5:47 am
Without a doubt, it is one of the all-time best country songs sung by one of the great country singers.
August 9, 2023 @ 10:30 am
I recall hearing Vince Gill song it on the day Bill Monroe died. A very emotional performance, Played it at both my mother’s and fathers funeral. Such a powerful song with great lyrics and incredible vocals. One of the all time great country songs,
August 9, 2023 @ 10:34 am
Man, that performance of that song at George Jones’ funeral was bar none the most gut-wrenching musical performance I have ever seen in my entire life.
August 9, 2023 @ 11:25 am
And now I am on a wormhole of watching multiple versions on YouTube and seeing people react to hearing it the first time.
August 9, 2023 @ 11:29 am
Yes it was. Alan Jackson singing He Stopped Loving Her Today also gave me chills. It almost felt like traditional country music was laid to rest that day.
August 9, 2023 @ 11:38 am
I think that song stuck out to me when I got the album. Now almost 30 years later I’m wearing a shirt for Vince’s latest album
August 9, 2023 @ 1:42 pm
My favorite song is a tie between Robert Earl Keen’s “Feeling Good Again” and the Statler Brothers’ “I’ll Even Love You Better Than I Did Then”.
Every time I hear “Go Rest High on That Mountain” I have to leave the room as both sets of my grandparents had that played at their funerals so it still makes me emotional after all these years.
Listening to “Whose Gonna Fill Their Shoes” is also equally depressing because I am still waiting to see who indeed.
August 9, 2023 @ 1:50 pm
Off topic, but Robbie Robertson has passed. RIP.
August 9, 2023 @ 2:34 pm
In 2001, I lost my hero, my best friend, my idol, and the one person I felt like really saw and understood me. It was just over a month after his 30th birthday. His passing broke something in me, and I felt hollow and empty inside. I couldn’t even cry. Then, we played this sing at his funeral. The flood of emotions that came out as this song provided the needed catharsis overwhelmed me. That day was the day I fell deeply in love with Country Music. It gave voice to feelings I couldn’t express and emotions that I, as a 17 year old, didn’t comprehend. And, that is the beauty of Country Music. No matter what we experience or feel, there’s always a song that lets us know we’re not alone in it. It doesn’t promise everything’s gonna be okay, thing’s will be fine. It just says, “I understand. I’ve felt that, too.” This song is a beautiful example of that very thing, and I’m so happy for Vince, and this song, achieving this significant milestone!
August 9, 2023 @ 3:53 pm
God Bless You !! I love your music ????????????
August 9, 2023 @ 4:05 pm
Top 5 all time for me, and incredibly meaningful as it played during my son’s funeral.
August 9, 2023 @ 4:15 pm
After that article you wrote at the end of July talking about this song, I paid 1.29 on iTunes for it and have listened to ot a hundred times, surely putting it over the platinum edge. You’re welcome Vince. And thanks, Trigger.
August 9, 2023 @ 4:48 pm
II’ve always had great respect for Vince Gill. Why? Cause he believes in the history of the genre. He knows without all the legends….country music wouldn’t be what it is today. He has to be one of the most humblest entertainers I’ve ever come across. Not to mention his guitar skills….that amazing tenor voice (he always says singing like a woman was loved by the ladies) and songwriting too. He’s a triple threat not to be messed with. Thanks so much for your music Mr Vince Gill.
August 9, 2023 @ 4:49 pm
This song is an all-time country great and Vince is a national treasure. Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary equated the song with “Amazing Grace” as far as funeral/reflective end-of-life songs go, that is not an overstatement at all.
Speaking of Vince’s performance at Jones’ funeral, something he said just before the song has always stuck with me. He said “George once sang about filling those shoes…but it’s my belief they don’t MAKE those shoes anymore.” Talk about a mic drop for George’s legacy and for traditional country music. God bless Vince for sharing this treasure with us all.
August 9, 2023 @ 5:12 pm
I watched Vince sing this side stage on the late show at the Grand Ole Opry the night Josh Turner was inducted; Vince was the host that evening. He played mandolin and sang a stripped down version of the song. I was nearly a blubbering mess. After he finished, I headed backstage to the now empty greenroom to grab a drink of water and then head out. Vince came back to his dressing room. I went over and peaked my head in to say hi and he said, “come on in.” We talked for a bit and then we both left. Every time I’ve met Vince he has been genuine and humble. This is one up there on the top country songs of all time list, for sure.
August 9, 2023 @ 5:41 pm
Vince finished the song with an additional verse. Watch this video of Carrie Underwood singing it at a CMT tribute to Vince. She really does it well. Everytime I’ve seen Vince do it, he can’t quite make it through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ7bK7VqmYw
August 9, 2023 @ 7:03 pm
It’s me even better now that he has added the last verse which finally completes this magnificent ode to Family and a friend. The fiddle I thought was Andrea Zonn in the video. Between the fiddle and guitar solo it’s just a masterpiece of both vocals and instrumentation
August 10, 2023 @ 12:16 am
I cannot hear this song without tearing up, I don’t care what the occasion. It is simply the best song ever written as a tribute to anyone that has been lost, for whatever reason.
August 10, 2023 @ 4:38 pm
In about 1979 I was starting my River company guiding trips on the forks of the American near coloma. Pure prairie league with that album busting out was so great. I didn’t even know who Vince Gill was but we loved it all especially that song Amy. That album was perfect for the times and place. And so darn good. Now it’s years later finally married at 40. A beautiful fun wife twins. Boy and a girl. We’d love to go rafting and bop down the road belting out Amy. My daughter loved that song. In her teens began 10 hard years of mental illness for her. We heard Go rest high and my wife Angela says if I go before you play that at my funeral. Four years ago this week we played it at my daughter’s memorial. We lost her when she crashed her car on highway one after 10 hard years of struggle. Thank You Vince Gill for all the songs and all the years
August 13, 2023 @ 7:26 pm
An amazing song as a beautiful voice had song sang at my daughter funeral 3 years ago and my dad in 2000 as every one the graves is an amazing singer and writer
August 15, 2023 @ 7:12 am
The way Patty consoled Vince and walked over during the instrumental and provided some subtle add libs, kept singing harmony, and her hand on his shoulder/arm showed tremendous class and compassion.
August 22, 2023 @ 7:52 pm
This song is indeed right up there with “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. Another great one is “Chiselled in Stone” by Vern Gosdin. Or Patty Loveless’s “How can I help you Say Goodbye”. Country has never been afraid to talk about all the parts of life, even the very toughest times.