We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This
Encyclopedia
"We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" is the title of a song written by Jim Lauderdale
, and recorded by country music
artist George Strait
. It was released in September 1998 as the third and final single from his 1998 album One Step at a Time. It peaked at #4 in the United States, and #2 in Canada.
. He was living in Buddy
and Julie Miller
’s apartment above their house. They were working on an album, so in order to get some sleep, he went over to the Union Station
hotel and found a good writing room."
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the melody is "infectious and the production is positively inventive." He goes on to call it "fun, frisky, and totally entertaining."
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale is a musician & singer-songwriter who performs bluegrass and country music. He has recorded since 1986 and has released nineteen studio albums. Artists who have recorded his material include George Strait and Patty Loveless.-Biography:...
, and recorded by country music
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...
artist George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
. It was released in September 1998 as the third and final single from his 1998 album One Step at a Time. It peaked at #4 in the United States, and #2 in Canada.
Background and writing
Jim Lauderdale told Taste of Country that the song came to him when he was living in NashvilleNashville, 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...
. He was living in Buddy
Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller is a country singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee...
and Julie Miller
Julie Miller
Julie Miller is a songwriter, singer, and recording artist currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. She married Buddy Miller in 1981...
’s apartment above their house. They were working on an album, so in order to get some sleep, he went over to the Union Station
Union Station (Nashville)
Nashville's Union Station is a former railroad terminal opened in 1900 to serve the passenger operations of the eight railroads then providing passenger service to Nashville, Tennessee...
hotel and found a good writing room."
Critical reception
Larry Flick, of BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the melody is "infectious and the production is positively inventive." He goes on to call it "fun, frisky, and totally entertaining."
Chart positions
"We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" debuted at #72 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated May 2, 1998, from unsolicited airplay.| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |