Ghost Riders in the Sky, by the Outlaws, is considered by many to be one of the greatest country-rock songs ever written. The song, which was released in 1979, tells the tale of a cowboy who is being chased by a gang of ghost riders in the sky. The song paints a vivid picture of the pursuit, with imagery of the ghost riders silhouetted against the moonlight sky.
The song was an instant hit, and in 1980 was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group category. It lost out to another classic, He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones, but it remains an enduring classic, covering by everyone from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen.
The Outlaws were a country-rock supergroup that formed in Tampa, Florida in 1975. The group combined the talents of a number of top country and rock musicians, including Billy Jones, Henry Paul, and Hughie Thomasson. Along with Ghost Riders in the Sky, the band had several other hits throughout their career, including Hurry Sundown and There Goes Another Love Song.
Ghost Riders in the Sky is one of the Outlaws' most beloved songs, and it continues to be performed and covered by various artists today. As a testament to its popularity and staying power, it was chosen by the Library of Congress for preservation in their National Recording Registry in 2017. The song is a timeless classic that will live on for generations to come.