It Makes No Difference Now

Cliff Bruner's version of the song was released in 1939 on Decca Records. It became the biggest country hit of 1939, appearing on the Billboard hillbilly chart from March 25, 1939, until November 25, 1939.^[1] Bruner's backing band on the record included Moon Mullican (piano), Dickie McBride (guitar and backup vocal), and Leo Raley (mandolin).^[2]

Although Jimmie Davis is listed as the co-writer on many pressings, Floyd Tillman was the sole composer. Shortly after the song was first published, Davis heard the song and offered Tillman $200 for it; Tillman countered at $400, and they agreed on a purchase price of $300. Despite the song's enormous success, Tillman did not receive any further compenastion. Interviewed in 1941, Tillman insisted he was not bitter and that Davis' purchase of the song was "perfectly legitimate" and said there was "no use thinking about it."^[3] According to Tillman's 2003 obituary, he eventually regained the rights.^[4]

Tillman was a guitarist in Cliff Bruner's band when he wrote the song.^[5] In a 1939 interview, Tillman said that the song was inspired by "life's darkest moments", in particular his best girl turning him down. Tillman said the song "patched up the differences" with his girl, and they were soon married.^[5] In a later interview in 1941, Tilman said the idea for the song "was just imagination"; a recording date was approaching, and he decided to think up a song to record.^[3]

Since it was written in 1938, Tillman's song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Tillman himself. Notable versions include:

• The song was first recorded in 1938 by Jimmie Davis with Rudy Sooter's Ranchmen on Decca.^[6]
• Tom Dickey Show Boys also recorded the song in 1938 for Bluebird.
• Tex Ritter also sang the song in the 1939 Western film Down the Wyoming Trail.^[7]
• Cover versions released in 1939 included records from the Light Crust Doughboys on Okeh, Wilf Carter, "The Yodeling Cowboy", on Bluebird, and Dick Robertson and His Orchestra on Decca.
• A 1940 cover version by Bing Crosby with Bob Crosby and his Orchestra reached No. 23 on the pop chart.
• Gene Autry recorded a cover version that reached No. 3 on the country chart in 1943.^[8]
• Eddy Arnold released cover version on RCA Victor in 1947.
• Burl Ives released a cover version on Decca in 1947.
• Piano Red released a blues version on RCA Victor in 1951.
• Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys released a cover version on Capitol in 1956.
• Ernest Tubb included a version on his 1959 album The Importance of Being Ernest.
• Ray Charles recorded a version of the song that was included on his 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.^[9]
• Don Gibson covered the song on his 1952 album Some Favorites of Mine.
• The song's composer Floyd Tillman recorded a version for his 1964 album Slippin' Around with Floyd Tillman.
• Floyd Cramer released an instrumental version on his 1964 album Country Piano-City Strings.
• The Supremes recorded a cover version on their 1965 album The Supremes Sing Country, Western and Pop.^[10]
• Dottie West covered the song on her 1969 album Dottie Sings Eddy.^[11]
• Jerry Lee Lewis included the song on his 1969 album Sings the Country Music Hall of Fame Hits, Vol. 2.
• Merle Haggard recorded a version for his 1980 album The Way I Am.^[12]
• Willie Nelson and Hank Snow recorded a duet for their 1985 album Brand on My Heart.
• A duet of Tillman and Mel Tillis performing the song was included on the 2004 album The Influence.^[13]
• A cover by Fats Domino was included on his 2009 album Give Me Some! Rare and Unreleased.