The gentle, wistful certainty that a cherished love is about to walk out the door.
There are certain songs, certain moments in music history, that act as a quiet, powerful hinge, turning a promising young talent into a genuine, generational voice. For Alison Krauss, that moment arrived with “I’ve Got That Old Feeling.” Released as the title track from her 1990 album—her second solo effort and third overall for Rounder Records—this song wasn’t a massive country radio smash, but its impact was seismic in the world of bluegrass and Americana. The album, also titled “I’ve Got That Old Feeling,” quietly climbed to number 61 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, signaling that this 19-year-old prodigy was forging a path where traditional sounds could connect with a broader, more emotionally resonant audience.
The true testament to the song’s quality came with its win for Best Bluegrass Recording at the 33rd Grammy Awards in 1991 (for the 1990 recording year). This was a landmark moment: Krauss’s first Grammy, the inaugural trophy in what would become a record-breaking collection of 27. It was an official nod of recognition to the blend of technical brilliance and profound emotional maturity that she had already begun to master.
The Heart of the Story: Sidney Cox’s Gentle Farewell
The story behind “I’ve Got That Old Feeling” lies with its composer, Sidney Cox, a member of the acclaimed Cox Family. The song is one of four tracks Cox contributed to the album, and its essence is a masterclass in quiet devastation. It isn’t a fiery breakup anthem or a scream of sudden shock. Instead, the track is a beautifully written, gently wistful contemplation of an impending loss.
The core meaning of the song is the inevitability of a relationship’s end, viewed through the sorrowful lens of experience. The narrator, sung with exquisite, crystal-clear innocence by Krauss, has seen this show before. That “old feeling” isn’t the flutter of new romance; it’s the chilling, sinking sensation that precedes a final goodbye. The lyrics speak of trying to “get inside your heart” but finding the emotional door shut, acknowledging a familiar distance in a lover’s eyes. It is the heartbreaking moment when you know, with absolute, sober clarity, that the person you love is preparing to leave, and all you can do is observe the painful, drawn-out process. It’s a recognition of the pattern of loss, a weary resignation set against a delicate, almost mournful, bluegrass arrangement.
A Bluegrass Classic Defined
The brilliance of “I’ve Got That Old Feeling” extends beyond the lyrics to the immaculate production and playing, which helped push the boundaries of bluegrass itself. Co-produced by the legendary dobro player Jerry Douglas (who also plays on the track) and Bil VornDick, the album, and this single in particular, established the refined, tasteful sonic template that would define Krauss’s career.
For those of us who grew up steeped in the sounds of Americana and roots music, listening to this track now brings a rush of nostalgia—a vivid memory of a time when the genre was being quietly, elegantly revolutionized. The sound is sparse and genuine: Krauss’s sweet, haunting fiddle lines and her famously pure soprano are supported by an all-star cast including Sam Bush on mandolin and Stuart Duncan (often known for his fiddle work, playing a tasteful mandolin here). The music is traditional at heart, a perfect, gentle sway of folk and bluegrass, yet it possesses a universal, accessible sentimentality.
It speaks to the enduring quality of true art that a song about anticipated heartbreak, released over three decades ago, can still evoke such a powerful, immediate emotional response. It’s the “old feeling” of a memory that’s as real as the day it was made—a timeless testament to a young woman who was already, at age 19, an undisputed master of her craft. She brought an emotional honesty that transcended genre, reminding us all that the pangs of the heart are best expressed with a clear voice and a well-played string.