Reba McEntire – “What Am I Gonna Do About You”

“What Am I Gonna Do About You” is a song by American country music artist Reba McEntire, released in 1986 as the lead single from her album What Am I Gonna Do About You. Written by the acclaimed songwriting duo of Gary Harrison and Ron Hellard, the song became one of McEntire’s biggest hits of the 1980s and solidified her place as one of country music’s most successful and versatile female artists.

The song tells the story of a woman grappling with the overwhelming emotions of love and longing for someone who may not feel the same way. The narrator questions how to move forward in a relationship where the feelings are unreciprocated, with the title line—“What am I gonna do about you?”—serving as a poignant expression of confusion and heartache. The song’s emotional lyrics, combined with McEntire’s powerful vocal delivery, captured the vulnerability of being in love with someone who is not fully committed.

Released in March 1986, “What Am I Gonna Do About You” quickly became a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the United States. It marked McEntire’s fourth chart-topping single, further cementing her status as a leading figure in the country music world. The song was praised for its emotional depth, as well as McEntire’s ability to interpret the heartbreak and frustration of the song’s narrative.

The music video, directed by the legendary Michael O’Herlihy, complemented the song’s themes, focusing on McEntire’s performance and conveying the emotional tension at the heart of the lyrics.

“What Am I Gonna Do About You” remains a fan favorite and is one of McEntire’s signature songs, showcasing her ability to blend emotional storytelling with her distinct vocal style. It is remembered as one of her key hits during the mid-1980s, a time when she was making a significant impact on the country music scene.