Introduction
“Do Right By Me” is a song written by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles, featured on Reba McEntire’s fourteenth studio album, Reba, released on April 25, 1988. This album marked a stylistic shift for McEntire, embracing a more polished and orchestrated production that incorporated elements of R&B and jazz, moving away from the traditional honky-tonk sounds of her earlier work.
Interestingly, “Do Right By Me” was initially recorded by Canadian country artist Michelle Wright for her debut album of the same name, released in 1988. Wright’s album also included tracks like “Wish I Were Only Lonely” and “New Fool at an Old Game,” both of which McEntire later recorded for her Reba album.
The song’s lyrics delve into the complexities of a romantic relationship, expressing a plea for enduring love and mutual respect. Lines such as “Do right by me and make it last forever” and “Where the hurting ends and the love begins” highlight the desire for a deep emotional connection and the resolution of past hurts, the Reba album achieved significant commercial success, becoming McEntire’s third number-one country album. It produced two Billboard country singles chart-toppers: “I Know How He Feels” and “New Fool at an Old Game.” The album’s blend of country with R&B and jazz influences showcased McEntire’s versatility as an artist and her willingness to explore diverse musical styles.
“Do Right By Me” exemplifies McEntire’s ability to convey deep emotion through her vocal performance, capturing the song’s themes of love, vulnerability, and the quest for mutual respect in a relationship. Its inclusion in the Reba album contributes to the record’s exploration of love and heartache, solidifying McEntire’s status as a leading figure in country music during the late 1980s.
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