"Whiskey River" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music

Country music

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 singer Johnny Bush

Johnny Bush

Johnny Bush, born February 17, 1935 as John Bush Shinn III in Houston, Texas, is a country music singer, songwriter, and drummer. Bush, nicknamed the "Country Caruso," is best-known for his distinctive voice and as the writer of "Whiskey River," a top-ten hit for himself and Willie Nelson's...

. He released the song in 1972 through RCA Victor and included it on his album Whiskey River. Bush later re-recorded the song in 1981 and released it through the Delta label, with "When My Conscience Hurts the Most" on the b-side.

Willie Nelson versions

Willie Nelson first recorded "Whiskey River" for the album Shotgun Willie

Shotgun Willie

Shotgun Willie is a 1973 album by Willie Nelson. The recording marks a change of style for Nelson, who later stated that the album "cleared his throat". When Nelson refused to sign an early extension of his contract with RCA in 1972, the label decided not to release any further recordings...

in 1973. In 1978, Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...

 recorded the song for his live album Willie and Family Live

Willie and Family Live

Willie and Family Live is a live album by country music artist Willie Nelson. It was released in 1978 as a double-LP. Recorded live at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, Nevada in April 1978 at the height of Willie madness. Emmylou Harris and Johnny Paycheck also are featured guests as backup vocal on some...

. This version of the song was released as a single through Columbia Records

Columbia Records

Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...

. "Whiskey River", despite not being a Nelson original, has become Nelson's signature song and a concert staple, usually the first song on the set list.

Johnny Bush

Chart (1972)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	14
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	7
Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country SinglesA	92

• ^ARe-recording.

Willie Nelson

Chart (1978)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	12
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	3