'Bless the Broken Road' is a song of gratitude: the singer thanks God and fate for every heartbreak and wrong turn because that broken road led him to his true love. Written in 1994 by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna, Rascal Flatts's version spent five weeks at No. 1 and won the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song.
Last refreshed August 23, 2026
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Who wrote it, who made it famous, and what it won.
'Bless the Broken Road' turns regret into gratitude: every wrong turn was really a road leading to the right person. Rascal Flatts didn't write it, but their 2005 chart-topping version — a five-week No. 1 that earned the writers a 2006 Grammy — is the one most people mean when they name the song.
Did Rascal Flatts write 'Bless the Broken Road'?
No. It was written in 1994 by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna. Rascal Flatts recorded the best-known version in 2004.
Who originally sang 'Bless the Broken Road'?
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded it first, for their 1994 album Acoustic. Co-writer Marcus Hummon and Melodie Crittenden also released versions before Rascal Flatts's 2004 hit.
Is 'Bless the Broken Road' a religious song?
It blends a love song with a prayer — the narrator thanks God as well as his soulmate for the 'broken road' that led them together, which is why it's often used at weddings and in churches.
Did 'Bless the Broken Road' win a Grammy?
Yes — the songwriters won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006.
When did Rascal Flatts release 'Bless the Broken Road'?
November 1, 2004, as a single from their third studio album Feels Like Today. It went on to spend five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart in 2005.