Introduction:
Still They Call Me Love was released in 1987 and quickly became a defining moment in Gene Watson’s career. The song, a classic country ballad, showcased Watson’s powerful vocals and his ability to deliver a song filled with emotional depth.
Written by Johnny Russell, a songwriter known for his poignant country lyrics, Still They Call Me Love explores themes of love’s complexities and enduring power. The song’s narrator reflects on a passionate yet troubled relationship, acknowledging his own flaws while expressing a powerful yearning for his lover.
Produced by Billy Sherrill, a legendary country music figure who had worked with artists like Tammy Wynette and George Jones, Still They Call Me Love benefited from Sherrill’s signature production style. Sherrill’s lush arrangements and use of steel guitar helped create a melancholic atmosphere that perfectly complemented the song’s lyrical themes.
Still They Call Me Love was a critical and commercial success for Gene Watson. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, showcasing its wide appeal among country music fans. It also achieved a respectable position at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, indicating its crossover potential.
The song’s critical acclaim was further solidified by a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1988. This recognition cemented Still They Call Me Love as a significant achievement in Watson’s discography and a major song within the country music landscape of the late 1980s.
Even today, Still They Call Me Love remains a fan favorite and a staple of Gene Watson’s live performances. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and Watson’s exceptional performance.
Video:
Lyrics:
I make people crazy
Make their hearts beat wild
Cry like little babies
I just watch and smileI make ’em all unhappy
Still they can’t get enough
You’d think that they would hate me
But still they call me loveI invented heartbreak
I came up with pain
How much can these fools take
Are they all insane?I’m as bad as whiskey
Strong as any drug
Poison when you kiss me
But still they call me loveI can take a strong man
And bring him to his knees
Make him risk his whole life
For any girl I pleaseI’ve brought down kingdoms
Turned heroes into dust
You’d think that they would hate me
But still they call me loveI invented heartbreak
I came up with pain
How much can these fools take
Are they all insane?I’m as bad as whiskey
Strong as any drug
Poison when you kiss me
But still they call me loveI’m poison when you kiss me
But still they call me love