When You Say Nothing At All (promo)Alison Krauss & Union StationiTunes/AAC/256kpbs

"When You Say Nothing at All" by Alison Krauss & Union Station is a cover of the late, Keith Whitley's hit single.  Krauss' version peaked at number three on the Billboard Country Singles Chart.

"When You Say Nothing at All" was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and was first released by American country singer, Keith Whitley.  The single was released as the third single from his studio album, "Don't Close Your Eyes" (1988).  The single became an instant hit on country radio and topped the Billboard Country Singles Chart in August 1988.  Whitley passed away from alcohol poisoning at the age of 34 the following year.  In 1994 BNA Records released a tribute album to the late singer.  The album featured some of Whitley's unreleased work as well as covers [of his songs] from other country singers.  The lead single was a cover of "When You Say Nothing at All" performed by American bluegrass group Alison Krauss & Union Station.  The cover shot to number three on the US Billboard Country Singles chart and number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Krauss' version won a CMA (Country Music Award, the equivalent to the Grammys for country music) for "Single of the Year" in 1995.  The single was later covered and released by Irish singer, Ronan Keaton, in 1999.  His version peaked at number one in the UK and became a top 10 hit throughout Europe.

Though Whitley originally had the first hit, Krauss' cover is most notably associated with her in North America while Keaton's version is better known throughout Europe, Latin America, and the Oceanic.

The "radio edit" is a simple fade out of the original album version.  However, the radio version has never been released commercially for purchase.  Alison Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards [out of 42] nominations, making her the third most awarded winner.  On November 21, 2019, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Donald J. Trump.