"Does He Love You" is a song written by Sandy Knox and

Billy Stritch Billy Stritch (born February 12, 1962, in Houston, Texas) is an American composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist. For many years, he was best known as a "confidant", music director, and piano player for Liza Minnelli. Early life and care ...

, and recorded as a duet by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...

artists Reba McEntire and

Linda Davis Linda Kaye Davis (born November 26, 1962) is an American country music singer. Before beginning a career as a solo artist, she had three minor country singles in the charts as one half of the duo Skip & Linda. In her solo career, Davis has recor ...

. It was released in August 1993 as the first single from Reba's compilation album '' Greatest Hits Volume 2''. It is one of country music's several songs about a love triangle. In 2022, a duet version with the singer

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

was released.

History

"Does He Love You" was written in 1982 by Billy Stritch and Sandy Knox. He recorded it with a trio in which he performed at the time, because he wanted a song that could be sung by the other two members of the trio, both of whom were women. It had been pitched to

Barbara Mandrell Barbara Ann Mandrell (born December 25, 1948) is an American country music singer and musician. She is also credited as an actress and author. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was considered among country's most successful music artist ...

and Liza Minnelli, but McEntire ended up recording it. She had wanted to include

, then a vocalist in her road band, as a duet partner. McEntire's husband and manager,

Narvel Blackstock Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955), or simply Reba, is an American country music singer and actress. Dubbed " the Queen of Country", she has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Since the 1970s, McEntire has placed over 100 single ...

, told her that

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group. Pre-history MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 w ...

"would rather herecord this with somebody more established", such as

Wynonna Judd Wynonna Ellen Judd or simply Wynonna ( ; born Christina Claire Ciminella; May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country singers. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles, incl ...

Trisha Yearwood Patricia Lynn Yearwood (born September 19, 1964) is an American singer, actress, author and television personality. She rose to fame with her 1991 debut single " She's in Love with the Boy," which became a number one hit on the ''Billboard'' c ...

, both of whom were on the same label at the time. McEntire called Tony Brown, then working as a

record producer A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure. Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...

for both her and Judd. Brown told her that Judd might record the song if McEntire asked her personally, but added that Judd did not want to record songs about "marital problems". McEntire submitted a

demo Demo, usually short for demonstration, may refer to: Music and film *Demo (music), a song typically recorded for reference rather than release * ''Demo'' (Behind Crimson Eyes), a 2004 recording by the band Behind Crimson Eyes * ''Demo'' (Deafhea ...

to Judd and, after not hearing back from her, recorded the song with Davis in June 1993. The single went on to win the Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration, a

Country Music Association Award The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards or CMAs, are presented to country music artists and broadcasters to recognize outstanding achievement in the country music industry. The televised annual presentation ceremony f ...

for Vocal Event of the Year, and a TNN/Music City News award for Best Vocal Collaboration. In 1996, Minnelli released the song as a duet with Donna Summer, from Minnelli's album, " Gently". In 1997, it appeared on Patti LaBelle's album, ''

Flame A flame (from Latin '' flamma'') is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic chemical reaction taking place in a thin zone. When flames are hot enough to have ionized gaseous components of sufficient density they ...

''. Larry Flick from '' Billboard'' wrote, "LaBelle effectively reinvents the Reba McEntire and

hit as a R&B

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

." The track was the most recent number one female duet on a ''Billboard'' country music chart based on airplay for over 28 years until " Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" by

Elle King Tanner Elle Schneider (born July 3, 1989), known professionally as Elle King, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Her musical style was influenced by country, rock and blues. In 2012, King released her debut EP, '' The Elle King ...

and

Miranda Lambert Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country singer and guitarist. Born in Longview, Texas, she started out in early 2001 when she released her self-titled debut album independently. In 2003, she finished in third place o ...

topped the chart in April 2022. It was Davis's only number one on the country charts.

Content

The song features a vocal battle between two female narrators,the wife and the mistress of the same man. Both women know that the man is being unfaithful to them and are wondering who he truly loves.

Music video

The big-budget, Jon Small-directed video was filmed over 3 days in mid-1993. It begins with Reba in her dressing room wearing a lilac feather gown, where she sees a picture of her lover, which she glances at. It then shows Linda as a professional actress at a movie premiere, then cuts back to Reba smashing the picture with a metal object. Reba shows up in a limo with the same man. The two women are seen then in a photo shoot holding an award and the man in the background. The next scene shows Linda and the man flirting in a hotel bar. Reba appears wearing a white suit, standing behind a glass and wood wall, as if not to be noticed by Linda. She sees what is really going on, and Linda notices her, only to come over to her and begin singing the second chorus. It then briefly goes back to the dressing room, where Reba continues to smash her lover's picture. The next scene shows Reba approaching Linda's house in the pouring rain at night, while Linda stands on her porch as they sing the bridge. The scene then shifts to the next day, where Reba watches from afar as Linda and the man are seen on a speedboat, where he hugs her, implying that Linda is who he truly loves. Reba finally smiles as the boat leaves the dock and then explodes. After the song is complete, the director (portrayed by actor

Rob Reiner Robert Norman Reiner (born March 6, 1947) is an American actor and filmmaker. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence with the role of Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the CBS sitcom ''All in the Family'' (1971–1979), a performan ...

) yells "Cut!" and shows Reba and the crew the footage.

Track list

; United Kingdom

Maxi single A maxi single or maxi-single (sometimes abbreviated to MCD or CDM) is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an A-side song and a B-side song. The first maxi singles Mungo Jerry's first single, " In the Summertime" was t ...

CD1 #"Does He Love You" (Album Version) #"Does He Love You" (Live) #"I'll Be" (Live) ; United Kingdom

CD2 #"Does He Love You" (Album Version) #"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" (Live) #"What If"

Chart performance

Year-end charts

Certifications

Revisited version

On October 8, 2021, "Does He Love You (Revisited)" was sent to country radio as the lead single from McEntire's thirty-fourth studio album and first remix album, '' Revived Remixed Revisited''. A duet with American singer

, the track was produced by

Dave Cobb Dave Cobb (born July 9, 1974) is an American record producer based in Nashville, Tennessee, best known for producing the work of Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, The Highwomen and Rival Sons . Cob ...

and McEntire. While MCA Nashville explained the song was not an official single, the revisited version has received heavy promotion from the label and McEntire doing key interviews. "Does He Love You (Revisited)" debuted at number 49 on the US '' Billboard'' Country Airplay Chart, marking McEntire's 72nd appearance on the chart and 27th for Parton.

Music video

A music video premiered on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...

on October 9, 2021.

Charts

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from

Tidal Tidal is the adjectival form of tide. Tidal may also refer to: * ''Tidal'' (album), a 1996 album by Fiona Apple * Tidal (king), a king involved in the Battle of the Vale of Siddim * TidalCycles, a live coding environment for music * Tidal (servic ...

Musicians

* Reba McEntire – vocals, production *

– featured artist *

– production, acoustic guitar, percussion * Billy Stritch – composer, lyricist * Sandy Knox – composer, lyricist * Leroy Powell – acoustic guitar * Brian Allen – bass * Chris Powell – drums, percussion * Phillip Towns – hammond B3 * Paul Franklin – pedal Steel * Phillip Towns – piano

Technical

* Brandon Bell – engineer * Lars Fox – engineer * Pete Lyman – mastering engineer * Darrell Thorp – mixer, recording engineer * Andrew Brightman – production coordinator * Phillip Smith – assistant recording engineer * Olivia Painter – assistant recording engineer * Daniel Bacigalupi – assistant mastering engineer

Release history

References

{{Authority control 1993 singles 1997 singles 2021 singles 1993 songs Reba McEntire songs Linda Davis songs Liza Minnelli songs Donna Summer songs Patti LaBelle songs Dolly Parton songs Female vocal duets Song recordings produced by Tony Brown (record producer) MCA Records singles