First recorded (as “Don’t Tell My Heart”) by The Marcy Brothers (1991).
Hit versions by Billy Ray Cyrus (US #4/C&W #1/CAN #4/UK #1/AUS #1/NZ #1 1992), Alvin & the Chipmunks (C&W #71/UK #53 1993).
From the wiki: “‘Achy Breaky Heart’ was written by Don Von Tress. Originally titled ‘Don’t Tell My Heart’ and performed by The Marcy Brothers in 1991, its name was later changed to ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ and performed by Billy Ray Cyrus on his 1992 album Some Gave All. Cyrus’ recording became a crossover hit on both pop and country radio, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Country Singles chart, becoming the first country single to be certified Platinum since Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s ‘Islands in the Stream‘ in 1983.
“The song was initially to be recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1990s but the group decided against recording it after lead singer Duane Allen said that he did not like the words ‘achy breaky’.
“Alvin & the Chipmunks covered the song in 1992 on Chipmunks in Low Places. This version, which features speaking parts by Cyrus himself, became the animated cartoon trio’s first entry on any Billboard chart in 32 years.
“‘Weird Al’ Yankovic parodied the song on his album Alapalooza as ‘Achy Breaky Song’, in which he pleads with the DJ not to play Cyrus’s ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ anymore; he can tolerate ABBA, Village People, New Kids on the Block, even Slim Whitman and Yoko Ono, but he’ll really go bonkers if he has to hear ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ one more time.
“Supporters of many UK football clubs have used chants based on the tune of the song, including West Ham United (about Dimitri Payet), Arsenal F.C. (about Mesut Özil), Newcastle United F.C., Cardiff City F.C. (about Malky Mackay), Celtic F.C. and Manchester United F.C. (about Park Ji-sung).”
Billy Ray Cyrus, “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992):
Alvin & the Chipmunks, “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992):
“Weird Al” Yankovic, “Achy Breaky Song” parody (1993):