Unleashing the Melodic Magic: The Tale Behind Ricky Van Shelton‘s “Don’t We All Have the Right”
Every song has a story, and Ricky Van Shelton’s chart-topping hit, “Don’t We All Have the Right,” is no exception. Penned by the talented Roger Miller, who had a remarkable journey in the music world, the song’s roots can be traced back to his connection with country comedian Sheb Wooley, known for hits like “The Purple People Eater” and the iconic theme from “Hee Haw.”
In pursuit of his musical dreams, Miller found himself in Nashville, where he took on odd jobs to survive while tirelessly promoting his songs to country artists staying at the Andrew Jackson Hotel. He frequented Ralph Emery’s tapings and roamed the streets of Music Row, leaving no stone unturned to get his music heard.
Luck finally smiled upon him in 1958 when Ray Price recorded Miller’s “Invitation to the Blues.” Although it was overshadowed by the massive success of “City Lights,” reaching number one for 13 weeks, “Invitation to the Blues” climbed to a respectable number three on Billboard’s country chart. This breakthrough set the stage for more hits, including “Half a Mind” by Ernest Tubb and two by Jim Reeves, “Billy Bayou” and “Home.”
Signing with RCA as a recording artist, Miller experienced moderate success, with “When Two Worlds Collide” reaching number six in the summer of 1961. However, after this brief success, his association with RCA came to an end. Little did he know that this termination would be a blessing in disguise.
A year later, Roger Miller found a new home at Mercury Records, granting him the creative freedom he craved. Embracing his unique style, Miller unleashed a string of hits, including the wildly popular “Dang Me” and “King of the Road,” which earned him multiple Grammy awards.
Continuing his musical journey, Miller released “Don’t We All Have the Right” in 1970 as the “B” side to his hit, “South.” Although it didn’t chart separately, the song received enough airplay to garner attention alongside “South.”
Fast forward to the late ’80s, and Ricky Van Shelton was gearing up for his debut album, “Wild-Eyed Dream.” Shelton’s producer, Steve Buckingham, stumbled upon the hidden gem, “Don’t We All Have the Right,” penned by Roger Miller seventeen years earlier. Enchanted by its charm and relevance to Ricky’s style, they knew it was destined for the album.
Initially released as the “B” side to Ricky’s hit, “Crime of Passion,” “Don’t We All Have the Right” turned out to be an irresistible track. The folks at Columbia Records soon recognized its potential and released it as a standalone single. The song debuted on Billboard’s country chart on May 7, 1988, eventually claiming the top spot on July 30, 1988, marking Ricky’s third of ten career number ones.
With its melodic magic and timeless message, “Don’t We All Have the Right” captured the hearts of listeners far and wide, cementing its place in country music history. This enchanting tale of a song reminds us that dreams can come true, and all it takes is the right moment and the perfect melody to strike a chord with the world.
- Artist: Ricky Van Shelton
- Released: 1987
- Album: Wild-Eyed Dream
Lyrics
I laughed it off when she left
I thought she’d come back again
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong now and then?
She won’t come home, she says her love
Will never be mine again
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong now and then?
Guess I wasn’t so smart after all
I forgot that with love, there are two ways to fall
I laughed it off when she left
I thought she’d come back again
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong now and then?
Guess I wasn’t so smart after all
I forgot that with love, there are two ways to fall
She won’t come home, she says her love
Will never be mine again
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong now and then?
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong now and then?
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