Who Sings The Justified Theme Song?

"In the deep, dark hills of Eastern Kentucky..." Every other season finale of "Justified" features a recording of the unforgettable "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive," originally written and recorded by Darrell Scott. It's a great song by itself, but in the show, it also becomes a haunting sonic motif: as Raylan Givens knows, once you're trapped in Harlan, it can be impossible to ever really get out.

Scott was inspired by a visit to Harlan where he researched his family, including seeing the infamous title phrase on a gravestone. "I didn't go there to write the song. I went there to find out what happened to my great grandfather," the songwriter told Kentucky Country Music. Nevertheless, the track was a hit and was recorded by Patty Loveless and Brad Paisley among other artists.

However, where Raylan has mixed emotions about his past, Scott is proud of his heritage. "My family's been from Kentucky for the past 200 years – Harlan County, coal mining, on both sides of my family, then coming into Knox County for tobacco farming. That's where my roots come from." Ultimately it was Scott's pride and knowledge of Harlan which helped him write a country standard.