Who knew Jeopardy trivia could upset so many in the country music world?
In a puzzle from the entertainment-related category, “Songs in the Key of Life,” a clue crediting the wrong original artist, was accepted by the host. This caused many in the country music world coming to the defense of one country music’s top bands.
The debated clue read, “In the title of a Rascal Flatts’ song, ‘Life Is’ this type of road,” according to TVInsider.
The champion, Adriana Harmeyer, guessed, “What is a Highway?” which was accepted by host Ken Jennings. This controversial answer earned the winning contestant $400 toward her Jeopardy team’s total. It also, surprisingly, caused a stir on X (formerly Twitter) among the music community for missing a key point.
This song was originally written by Canadian rocker Tom Cochrane. Read some of the top posts that caused country music fans to come to Rascal Flatts’ defense.
“Very offensive to Tom Cochrane to call ‘Life is a Highway’ a Rascal Flatts song Jeopardy,” one person wrote.
“Ahem! ‘Life is a Highway” is a Tom Cochrane song!” said another.
“Why has #Jeopardy decided ‘Life is a Highway’ is a Rascal Flatts song when they just produced an inferior cover?” yet another person quipped.
Country music fans entered the debate with top comments such as, “Oh stop — if they gave the original artist props people would complain it was too obscure a clue. Who made it a hit? That is a great version of that song and the ONLY one people remember.”
“I never knew it was anything but a RF song. Be happy, the game just got TC the recognition, albeit inadvertently. [wink emoji]” another Flatts fan chimed in.
Many X users and Tom Cochrane fans had mentioned that the Canadian rocker recorded this hit in 1991 and the original version surpassed the Flatts’ cover by one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Take a listen at both of the hits below that caused this surprising debate among the music fans.
Rascal Flatts – “Life Is a Highway” (From Cars)
Tom Cochrane – “Life Is A Highway” Music Video
See the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born
Who had the most played country song during the year you were born? This list is a fascinating time capsule of prevalent trends from every decade in American history. Scroll through to find your birth year and then click to listen. Some of these songs have been lost through the years, many of them for good reason!
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes