Fantastic Reba Cover…By A Man!
In 1986, I was still several years from not just working in Country radio, but listening to my first country song from start to finish (hard to believe, right?). However, I was familiar with some of the bigger names in the genre as growing up in Houston, our Livestock Show and Rodeo was the largest in the world and attracted some of the biggest names to perform. Long explanation to say, of course I knew who Reba McEntire was.
That was the year her 10th studio album, “Whoever’s In New England,” was released. The title cut told the story of the housewife of an up-and-coming business executive who she suspects is having an affair on her. It was one of two songs on the release to reach the top of the charts.
34 years later, this song has been STUNNINGLY covered by Texas Country icon, Cody Johnson. This brings a 180 degree perspective to the song that wasn’t conceivable in the mid-80s. If a man had sung this song back then, there is no way it resonates as the concept of female business executives was relatable as the concept of unicorns.
But now, listen and watch Cody sing this stripped down version. You can feel his pain, just as you felt Reba’s. This is an amazing achievement as a cover.
