Jeopardy Blasted Over ‘Offensive’ Country Music Related Question

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

Nicole Taylor is part of Taste of Country Mornings with Wood and Nicole that can be heard every morning LIVE on TasteofCountry.com and on the Taste of Country app from 6-10 am Central. Based in Nashville, the two hosts talk with country artists and go deep into the latest in the world of country music, every weekday.