Earl Thomas Conley‘s Chart-Topping Journey: Unveiling the Tale Behind “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong”
In the illustrious realm of country music, Earl Thomas Conley carved his own path to stardom, and the story behind the chart-topping hit, “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong,” paints a vivid picture of his journey.
Conley’s rise to fame began with the attention-grabbing success of “Fire And Smoke” on an independent label. However, the high costs of promotion often spelled doom for small labels, leading to the acquisition of Conley’s contract by RCA after the success of “Fire And Smoke.”
Initially, RCA released “You Don’t Have To Go Too Far” from Conley’s “Blue Pearl” album on Sunbird, but the single was shelved. Instead, the spotlight turned to “Tell Me Why,” climbing to #10, and “After The Love Slips Away,” peaking at #16. Earl’s first RCA album, “Fire And Smoke,” seamlessly blended new tracks with those from “Blue Pearl.”
In 1982, Conley unleashed his creativity with “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong,” his first all-new package for RCA. Struggling with a year-long writing block, he bought time by releasing “Heavenly Bodies,” a tune picked up by producer Nelson Larkin. Surprisingly, it soared to #8. Concurrently, Conley overcame his writing block, penning all nine songs on the album, including the title track.
“Somewhere Between Right And Wrong” saw Conley daringly challenge country music norms by infusing a rock and roll backbeat and a lively horn section. The single was officially released in two formats, one with horns and another without – a distinction that blurred when horns appeared in both versions. Producer Larkin, against Earl’s objections, introduced a lyricon (an electronic saxophone) played by Quitman Dennis.
The journey wasn’t without hurdles. WGNA in Albany, New York, took a stand against playing “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong,” along with T. G. Sheppard’s “War Is Hell (On The Homefront Too),” citing concerns about promoting promiscuity. However, this controversy didn’t hinder the record’s success. On December 18, 1982, “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong” became Conley’s second out of 18 number one Billboard singles.
Earl Thomas Conley’s musical odyssey, filled with triumphs and challenges, shines brightly in the tale behind “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong,” a timeless anthem that marked a pivotal moment in the country legend’s career.
- Album: Somewhere Between Right and Wrong
- Artist: Earl Thomas Conley
- Released: 1982
Lyrics
Well I met in a small town bar not far from home
She was having second thoughts about a man who was always gone
Said the only way to get to him was a telephone
So she held on to me when she couldn’t hld her own
She said I can be had but I can’t be bought
And I can be bad lord if I don’t get caught
But I’d rather be loved than left alone
Than be here in the middle some where between right and wrong
She said you know I never was the kind to spread it around
But I’ll let you get to me as long as you don’t let me down
Said I got the kind of love it takes to make if feel slow
But don’t care how you get me there just long as I go
She said I can be had but I can’t be bought
And I can be bad lord if I don’t get caught
But I’d rather be loved than left alone
Than be here in the middle some where between right and wrong
Ya its her kind of love keeps me coming back time after time
Just like a beautiful song I can’t get off my mind
But I worry alot about love you have to wait on
And I got second thoughts about a woman who is always gone
She said I can be had but I can’t be bought
And I can be bad lord if I don’t get caught
But I’d rather be loved than left alone
Than be here in the middle some where between right and wrong
