Amazing Grace has probably been recorded by a wider range of performers than any other song in history.
Amazing Grace
English lyric and the American melody
Amazing Grace Videos
Lyrics and Chords
It has attracted the attention of classical artists and opera singers, folk singers, rock stars, country performers and most notably of all perhaps, certainly in the early days when it was often performed and recorded as an African American Spiritual, gospel singers.
For many people, one of the most significant recordings was by the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in 1947. The song seemed to grow with her as she became more popular in the 1950s and 1960s eventually earning the title of the Queen of Gospel.
Amazing Grace also became a standard for the folk revivalists. Joan Baez said it was her most requested song. It also became a signature tune for Judy Collins. Arlo Guthrie performed it at the Woodstock festival.
Recorded by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was one of the first rock stars to perform the song. He was soon followed by others including Arethan Franklin and The Byrds.
Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash recorded country versions. For Cash, the song was particularly poignant as he and his brother Jack had sung it while working in the cotton fields as boys in Arkansas.
Jack died in an accident when he was a teenager. Cash dedicated his recording of Amazing Grace to his brother.
Rod Stewart had a massive hit with the song in the UK in the 1970s.
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
One of the most successful recordings of Amazing Grace was one by a seemingly unlikely set of chart toppers, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
Their instrumental version, featuring bagpipes, became the best selling UK single of 1972. It reached number one and spent a total of 24 weeks in the charts.
Amazing Grace
English lyric and the American melody
Recordings of Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace Videos
Lyrics and Chords
