Introduction:
”I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me” is a song by American country artist Dwight Yoakam, featured on his ninth studio album, A Long Way Home, released on June 9, 1998. The album marked a return to a more traditional country sound for Yoakam, following his exploration of diverse musical styles in previous works. A Long Way Home reached number 11 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, showcasing Yoakam’s continued relevance in the country music scene.
The track “I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me” exemplifies Yoakam’s signature blend of honky-tonk rhythms and heartfelt storytelling. While not released as a single, the song contributes to the album’s cohesive narrative of love, loss, and introspection. Yoakam’s vocal delivery, combined with traditional country instrumentation, underscores the song’s themes of skepticism and guarded emotions in romantic relationships.
In 2016, Yoakam revisited “I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me” on his bluegrass album, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…, offering a fresh interpretation that highlights his Kentucky roots. This rendition features a world-class ensemble of bluegrass musicians, including Bryan Sutton on guitar, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and banjo, Barry Bales on bass, Adam Steffey on mandolin, and Scott Vestal on banjo.
The 2016 bluegrass version of “I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me” is available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, allowing listeners to experience Yoakam’s reinterpretation of his earlier work.
Through both versions of “I Wouldn’t Put It Past Me,” Dwight Yoakam showcases his versatility as an artist, seamlessly bridging traditional country and bluegrass genres while maintaining the emotional depth and authenticity that have defined his career.