Introduction
“My Maria” is a song that has journeyed through the annals of music history, evolving from a 1973 pop-country hit to a Grammy-winning country anthem. Originally penned by B.W. Stevenson and Daniel Moore, the song was inspired by Stevenson’s earlier hit “Shambala.” Moore had been working on the song for two years before Stevenson added the final verse, resulting in a heartfelt ode to a woman named Maria. Released in 1973, Stevenson’s version reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart, marking it as his most successful single.
In 1996, country duo Brooks & Dunn revitalized “My Maria” with their rendition, which became a massive hit in the country music scene. Their version spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was named the No. 1 country song of 1996 by Billboard. The song also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Despite initial hesitations from Ronnie Dunn about the song’s falsetto elements, the duo’s rendition became one of their signature hits.
The enduring appeal of “My Maria” was further solidified when Brooks & Dunn re-recorded the song in 2019, featuring country artist Thomas Rhett. This collaboration introduced the classic tune to a new generation of listeners, demonstrating the song’s timeless resonance in the country music landscape.
“My Maria” stands as a testament to the song’s universal themes of longing and love, bridging generations and genres with its heartfelt lyrics and enduring melody.