Does He Love You

"Does He Love You" is a song written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch, and recorded as a duet by American country music artists Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. It was released in August 1993 as the first single from Reba's compilation album Greatest Hits Volume Two. It is one of country music's several songs about a love triangle.

"Does He Love You"
Single by Reba McEntire with Linda Davis
from the album Greatest Hits Volume Two
B-side"Straight From You"
ReleasedAugust 9, 1993
GenreCountry
Length4:19
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)
  • Sandy Knox
  • Billy Stritch
Producer(s)
Reba McEntire singles chronology
"It's Your Call"
(1993)		 "Does He Love You"
(1993)		 "They Asked About You"
(1994)
Linda Davis singles chronology
"He Isn't My Affair Anymore"
(1992)		 "Does He Love You"
(1993)		 "Love Didn't Do It"
(1994)

History

"Does He Love You" was written in 1982 by Billy Stritch and Sandy Knox. He recorded it with a trio in which he performed at the time, because he wanted a song that could be sung by the other two members of the trio, both of whom were women. It had been pitched to Barbara Mandrell and Liza Minnelli, but McEntire ended up recording it. She had wanted to include Linda Davis, then a vocalist in her road band, as a duet partner. McEntire's husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, told her that MCA Records "would rather [she] record this with somebody more established", such as Wynonna Judd or Trisha Yearwood, both of whom were on the same label at the time. McEntire called Tony Brown, then working as a record producer for both her and Judd. Brown told her that Judd might record the song if McEntire asked her personally, but added that Judd did not want to record songs about "marital problems". McEntire submitted a demo to Judd and, after not hearing back from her, recorded the song with Davis in June 1993.[1]

The single went on to win the Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration,[2] a Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year, and a TNN/Music City News award for Best Vocal Collaboration.

In 1996, Minnelli released the song as a duet with Donna Summer, from Minnelli's album, "Gently". In 1997, it appeared on Patti LaBelle's album, Flame. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "LaBelle effectively reinvents the Reba McEntire and Linda Davis hit as a R&B ballad."[3]

Content

The song features a vocal battle between two female narrators who are in love with the same man. Both women know that the man is being unfaithful to them and are wondering who he truly loves.

Music video

The big-budget, Jon Small-directed video was filmed over 3 days in mid-1993. It begins with Reba in her dressing room wearing a lilac feather gown, where she sees a picture of her lover, which she glances at. It then shows Linda as a professional actress at a movie premiere, then cuts back to Reba smashing the picture with a metal object. Reba shows up in a limo with the same man. The two women are seen then in a photo shoot holding an award and the man in the background.

The next scene shows Linda and the man flirting in a hotel bar. Reba appears wearing a white suit, standing behind a glass and wood wall, as if not to be noticed by Linda. She sees what is really going on, and Linda notices her, only to come over to her and begin singing the second chorus.

It then briefly goes back to the dressing room, where Reba continues to smash her lover's picture. The next scene shows Reba approaching Linda's house in the pouring rain at night, while Linda stands on her porch as they sing the bridge.

The scene then shifts to the next day, where Reba watches from afar as Linda and the man are seen on a speedboat, where he hugs her, implying that Linda is who he truly loves. Reba finally smiles as the boat leaves the dock and then explodes.

After the song is complete, the director (portrayed by actor Rob Reiner) yells "cut" and shows Reba and the crew the footage.

Track list
United Kingdom Maxi single CD1
  1. "Does He Love You" (Album Version)
  2. "Does He Love You" (Live)
  3. "I'll Be" (Live)
United Kingdom Maxi single CD2
  1. "Does He Love You" (Album Version)
  2. "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" (Live)
  3. "What If"

Chart performance
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] 1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 1
Chart (1999) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 62
Australian Singles Chart 59
Sweden Singles Chart 72

Year-end charts
Chart (1993) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] 52
US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 40

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. McEntire, Reba; Carver, Tom (1994). Reba: My Story. Bantam Books. pp. 272-273.
  2. "And the Winners Are . . ". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. 1994-03-02. pp. C 22. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  3. Flick, Larry (November 15, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 68. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2296." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. November 13, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  5. "Reba McEntire Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM. December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  7. "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  8. "American single certifications – Reba McEntire – Does He Love You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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