On This Day in King of the Hill History...

The Songs are in the same order as the soundtrack.

This Day in King of the Hill history, the soundtrack was released. Some of you may not know that there was a KOTH soundtrack but let me tell you. It is fantastic, even if Chuck Mangione isn't on it. The soundtrack was released officially on this date in 1999. It mostly consists of popular country and alternative artists of the time performing southern rock and country music covers. There are also songs and soundbites performed by characters on the show. So, in honor of the soundtrack’s release anniversary, I am going to attach a link to the soundtrack and I hope you all enjoy it. I will also, breakdown the soundtrack below and give some facts about each cover/song.

1: “Move It On Over” by Travis Tritt and George Thorogood

The soundtrack gets kicked off wonderfully with this classic Hank Williams cover. The Southern Rock update by Travis Tritt and George Thorogood has a great sound. I think you can put a George Thorogood with any song and it will sound great. Also, we get a brief intro by Hank, Dale, Bill and Boomhauer. Travis Tritt appeared in a Season 8 episode as Walt and made a non-speaking cameo in a Season 4 episode.

2: “Get in Line” by Barenaked Ladies

This song had the biggest chart success. It reached 28 on the US Pop Top 40 charts and climbed to number 18 in Canada. The King of the Hill themed music video is awesome, and it is a very catchy tune. Barenaked Ladies never released this song on any of their albums, but they included it in their Greatest Hits compilation.

3: “Down on the Corner” by The Mavericks

The Mavericks covered this Creedence Clearwater Revival hit and gave it a 90s country sound. The track ends with Boomhauer saying that he has trouble comprehending what The Mavericks are saying.

4: “Straight to the Moon” by Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow came out with an original here with this track. One of only two on the soundtrack, if you don’t count the soundbites and the theme song. This track has a great sound and it is a nice change of pace from the rest of the soundtrack, but it fits right in with the other songs.

5: “Against the Wind” by Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn cover this Bob Seger classic. This was one of three songs to chart on this soundtrack. It doesn’t get any more 90’s Country than Brooks & Dunn and stout vocals of Ronnie Dunn. The popular country duo also made cameos in the series. Kix Brooks got sick from Peggy’s Apple Brown Betty in a Season 4 episode. It’s cool that a decent amount of these artists appeared in the show at some point.

6: “Piece of My Heart” by Faith Hill

This wasn’t the country version that Faith Hill released in 1994, but it is the same song. This one was called the pop remix and personally, I like it better than her country version. If you feel like you recognize this song, it was made popular by Big Brother and the Holding Company and the vocals of Janis Joplin. Erma Franklin’s version was the original. She never appeared in the show, but her name was mentioned in the same Season 4 episode as the rest. Hopefully Peggy didn’t take a swing at her for stealing their last name.

7: “I Know a Little” by Trace Adkins

Originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trace Adkins gives this song a 90’s country flair. This song practically sounds the same as the original, but Adkins definitely gives it a different sound. The Lynyrd Skynyrd version was played in a Season 3 episode, that predates the release of this soundtrack. Trace Adkins also has a recurring role in the series. He appears in 3 episodes as Elvin, although it seems like more. He also made an appearance as a trucker in a Season 8 episode.

8: “Mow Against the Grain” by The Hill Family Singers

This one really isn't a song. It’s more like the KOTH main characters joining in to give life advice from their own unique perspectives. It is filled with funny quips and lots of unique advice, no matter how good or bad it is. This was a cool switch up from the rest of the soundtrack.

9: “Eastbound and Down” by Tonic

This Alternative group recorded one of the most recognizable country songs in history. This Jerry Reed cover was originally in the Smokey and The Bandit soundtrack and had tremendous success. This song ends with Dale saying it has a good beat and that he could kills bugs to it.

10: “Free Fallin’” by Deana Carter

This song appeared in the Season 3 finale when Peggy jumped out of the plane and she had a parachute malfunction. One thing about KOTH, they always had good cliffhangers. Viewers had to wait 4 months to see if Peggy survived. It’s crazy to think it’s not Tom Petty performing his own song here, considering the fact that Petty had a regular role at the end of the series. This cover is a nice country version though.

11: “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” by Willie Nelson and Mark McGrath

Apparently, Bobby and Hank each got to choose one artist each to perform a song together and this is what they came up with. Willie got to sing his own song with the help of famous 90s front man and MTV personality, Mark McGrath. Willie Nelson had the honor of being the first celebrity appearance on the show in Season 1.

12: “Teddy Bear” by Hank Hill

Yes, you read that right. Hank Hill performing a song. It’s as great as it sounds. Hank covers this Red Sovine hit and Hank feels that it’s one of the greatest songs ever written, despite pushback from the record execs. We don’t see/hear Hank get choked up too often, but this song does it to him. Red Sovine had a knack for performing sad songs and Hank performs it wonderfully.

13: “El Paso” by Old 97’s

We have a neat Alternative twist to Marty Robbins’ hit song here. Old 97’s are an alternative band and they did a good job here with this cover. I really liked the country swing at the start and it immediately jumped into an alt rock sound.

14: “One Tin Soldier” by Luanne Platter

Yes, again, you read it right. Luanne sings her heart out on this 60’s/70s song. It was originally performed by The Original Caste and Luanne definitely pours her heart out on this one. It was an anti-Vietnam war song and as we all know, Luanne is very anti-war, because more people die from smoking than die from war in Vietnam every day. Hank referenced the 1971 film, Billy Jack at the end of Luanne’s performance and this song appeared on the film.

15: “Yahoos and Triangles” by The Refreshments

And we end the album with the classic KOTH theme song. Just hearing the song puts me in a better mood. Well, I guess that wraps it up for this album that was released 23 years ago on this day. I hope you all give it a listen.

Yacs