The original version included only Tubb's vocals and acoustic guitar accompanied by "Smitty" Smith on electric guitar. Tubb later re-recorded the song with his band, the Texas Troubadours.[2]
The original single became a hit, reaching the number-23 spot[3] in the charts in 1941 but eventually the song sold over a million copies. Critic David Vinopal called "Walking the Floor Over You" the first honky tonk song that launched the musical genre itself.[4] Tubb's version is heard on the soundtrack of the 1980 film Coal Miner's Daughter.[5]
Ernest Tubb himself re-recorded the song several times during his career, with those versions recorded in 1944, 1959, 1963, and 1977. Additionally, Tubb recorded another version with Merle Haggard in 1979; that version reached number 31 on the BillboardHot Country Singles chart that fall.
Bing Crosby recorded the song for Decca Records on May 27, 1942, with Bob Crosby's Bob Cats.[8]
Georgia Gibbs recorded the song as "I'm Walking the Floor Over You" in 1957 and it charted briefly in the Billboard Hot 100 in the number-92 spot.
Pat Boone recorded the song in 1959, and it had a modest success reaching number 44 in the Billboard Hot 100,[9] and #39 in the UK charts[10] in 1960.
Patti Page included the song on her album Patti Page Sings Country And Western Golden Hits (1961)[11]
Teresa Brewer included the song on her album Songs Everybody Knows (1961)[12]