Whoever's in New England (song)
"Whoever's in New England" | ||||
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Single by Reba McEntire | ||||
from the album Whoever's in New England | ||||
B-side | "Can't Stop Now" | |||
Released | March 2, 1986 | |||
Recorded | fall 1985 | |||
Genre | Country music | |||
Length | 3:25 | |||
Label | MCA Nashville | |||
Writer(s) | Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers | |||
Producer(s) |
Jimmy Bowen Reba McEntire | |||
Reba McEntire singles chronology | ||||
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"Whoever's in New England" is a song written by Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers, and recorded by American country music Reba McEntire. It was released in March 1986 as the first single and title track from the album Whoever's in New England. The song was considered one of her signature and breakthrough singles.
Song background
The song was written in the voice of a Southern woman who believes her husband is having an affair during his business trips up north (the video clearly shows him having at least an emotional affair with a coworker), but pledges that she will remain available to him when "whoever's in New England's through with you." [1] The song was taken from Barry Manilow's 70s Pop hit, "Weekend in New England". The 2007 Sugarland hit "Stay" was inspired by it, and tells the story from the perspective of the mistress.
It was a career-making song for McEntire, not least because it was promoted by her first music video. Reaching number one in May 1986, it marked a major breakthrough for her, beginning a string of chart-topping hits that didn't begin to slow down for the next thirteen years. "Little Rock," the follow-up single, also hit number one, as did the Whoever's in New England album, her first LP to be certified platinum. [1]
In 1987, McEntire won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Whoever's in New England", her first Grammy Award. Also thanks in part to the success of the song, McEntire won a number of awards from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.
Music video
"Whoever's in New England" was McEntire's first music video. The video aired on CMT in 1986 and was quite popular as well. It was filmed in Boston, and featured footage of Boston Common, the Trinity Church, the Hancock Tower and Logan Airport.
Chart positions
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 3 |
Preceded by "Tomb of the Unknown Love" by Kenny Rogers |
Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single May 31, 1986 |
Succeeded by "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" by Ronnie Milsap |
References
- ā 1.0 1.1 About Reba McEntire's "Whoever's In New England" at Allmusic; retrieved February 3, 2008.
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