Little Rock (Reba McEntire song)
Encyclopedia
"Little Rock" is a song written by Pat McManus, Bob DiPiero
, and Gerry House
. It was recorded by American country
music artist, Reba McEntire
for her 1986 studio album, Whoever's in New England
. Produced by Jimmy Bowen
and McEntire, the song was released as the album's second single, reaching number one on the Billboard Magazine country music chart in late 1986.
. The song itself is not to be confused with either the capital of Arkansas
and the Collin Raye song
. Both of which also holds the same name
. "Little Rock" is mainly a "cheating song" that describes a woman who realizes the life she married into is not what she wanted. The song's chorus further describes its storyline:
, calling the song a "cheery cheating song." About.com
s Jolene Downs also reviewed McEntire's 1986 album and gave "Little Rock," praise, calling it one of the "pros" of the album, along with the songs, "Whoever's in New England
" and "Can't Stop Now." Downs also said that the song was "of my favorites," praising McEntire's voice on the track (among a few others mentioned), further stating, "She can sing a love ballad with enough feeling to bring tears to your eyes. She can dish out the ultimatums to the "other woman" like no one else."
on June 2, 1986, following the success of the title track. "Little Rock" became McEntire's sixth number one single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and was the last single released from the album. In addition, the song also reached #2 in on Canada's RPM
Country Tracks chart, becoming her highest-charting single in Canada up to that point. With the single's success the album became McEntire's first album to certify "Gold" by the Recording Industry Association of America
, and eventually went "Platinum."
Bob DiPiero
Bob DiPiero is an American country music songwriter. He has written 15. U.S. Number 1 hits and countless top 20 hits for the likes of Tim McGraw, The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Shenandoah, Neal McCoy, Highway 101, Restless Heart, Ricochet, John Anderson, Montgomery...
, and Gerry House
Gerry House
Gerry House is a and award-winning American radio personality, currently heard on WSIX-FM in Nashville, Tennessee on the morning show Gerry House and the House Foundation...
. It was recorded by American country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
music artist, Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
for her 1986 studio album, Whoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England is Reba McEntire's tenth album, and her first #1 album on the Billboard country charts. It also produced two singles that were #1 country hits: "Whoever's in New England" and "Little Rock."...
. Produced by Jimmy Bowen
Jimmy Bowen
Jimmy Bowen is an American record producer and former pop music performer.Bowen was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He began as a teenage recording star in 1957 with "I'm Stickin' With You," originally the flip side of the hit record "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox, but ultimately a Top 20 recording...
and McEntire, the song was released as the album's second single, reaching number one on the Billboard Magazine country music chart in late 1986.
Background and content
"Little Rock" was recorded at the MCA studio in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. The song itself is not to be confused with either the capital of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and the Collin Raye song
Little Rock (Collin Raye song)
"Little Rock" is a song written by Tom Douglas and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was released in March 1994 as the second single released from his CD, Extremes, it peaked at number 2 on the U.S...
. Both of which also holds the same name
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. "Little Rock" is mainly a "cheating song" that describes a woman who realizes the life she married into is not what she wanted. The song's chorus further describes its storyline:
- Oh little rock, think I'm gonna have to slip you off
- Take a chance tonight and untie the knot
- There's more to life than what I got
- Oh little rock you know this heart of mine just can't be bought
- I'm gonna find someone who really cares a lot, when I slip off this little rock
Critical reception
"Little Rock" was reviewed mainly positively. William Ruhlmann of Allmusic reviewed the album, Whoever's in New EnglandWhoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England is Reba McEntire's tenth album, and her first #1 album on the Billboard country charts. It also produced two singles that were #1 country hits: "Whoever's in New England" and "Little Rock."...
, calling the song a "cheery cheating song." About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
s Jolene Downs also reviewed McEntire's 1986 album and gave "Little Rock," praise, calling it one of the "pros" of the album, along with the songs, "Whoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England (song)
"Whoever's in New England" is the name of a popular single made famous by Reba McEntire in 1986. The song was considered one of her signature and breakthrough singles.-Song background:...
" and "Can't Stop Now." Downs also said that the song was "of my favorites," praising McEntire's voice on the track (among a few others mentioned), further stating, "She can sing a love ballad with enough feeling to bring tears to your eyes. She can dish out the ultimatums to the "other woman" like no one else."
Release and chart performance
"Little Rock" was released as the second single from, Whoever's in New EnglandWhoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England is Reba McEntire's tenth album, and her first #1 album on the Billboard country charts. It also produced two singles that were #1 country hits: "Whoever's in New England" and "Little Rock."...
on June 2, 1986, following the success of the title track. "Little Rock" became McEntire's sixth number one single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and was the last single released from the album. In addition, the song also reached #2 in on Canada's RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks chart, becoming her highest-charting single in Canada up to that point. With the single's success the album became McEntire's first album to certify "Gold" by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
, and eventually went "Platinum."
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |