In 1931 the first vocal group to become country music favourites, the Carter Family (A.P., Sara and Maybell Carter) recorded "When I'm Gone" (A.P. Carter). Sara Carter sang lead. This is the group that Johnny Cash joined when he married June Carter.

Luisa Gerstein and Heloise Turnstall-Behrens used the cup and clap technique in 2009 when they posted a YouTube version as "You're Gonna Miss Me" (A. P. Carter - Luisa Gerstein) calling themselves Lulu and the Lampshades. At this time they have over six million hits.

The 2012 movie "Pitch Perfect" introduced Anna Kendrick who learned the game earlier and it was added to the script. Now it was known as "The Cup Song" or "Cups". A single version was produced with a banjo and more instrumentation. This release topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart while peaking at number six pop.