Studio Album · No. 2

Whoever's in New England Songwriting Credits by Reba McEntire

1986 MCA Records 10 tracks 32 min

Produced by Jimmy Bowen, Reba McEntire  ·  Engineered by Ron Treat, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Meadows

MCA Records Country
0%
Authorship
Singer / Performer

Holds writing credit on 0 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 0 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Reba McEntire carries a lyricist or composer credit.

0%
0 trackswritten by Reba McEntire 10 tracksoutside writers
Reba McEntire's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist0%
Composer0%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
20
Lyricists
2
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
1 million
US Copies Sold
1986
Released
Data Insight

Reba McEntire is an interpreter, not a songwriter, and this album shows it: every track was written by outside songwriters, with no McEntire writing credit anywhere. The signature title track was written by Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers, a story-song about a wife who suspects her husband is drawn back to an old flame in New England. Jimmy Bowen and McEntire co-produced the whole record, so both names sit on every track. The songwriter columns therefore belong entirely to the credited writers she chose to record, from the Franceschi and Powers title ballad to the Pat McManus, Bob DiPiero, and Gerry House single 'Little Rock.'

Whoever's in New England is the ninth studio album by Reba McEntire, released February 10, 1986 on MCA Records and recorded at Sound Stage Studio in Nashville. It was the record that turned her into a star, becoming her first number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and her first gold record, later certified platinum. As a song interpreter rather than a writer, McEntire built the album from outside material, and the title ballad of a wife who suspects her husband strays on his New England business trips became a signature hit. Co-produced with Jimmy Bowen, the album yielded two number one country singles in 'Whoever's in New England' and 'Little Rock.' The title track won McEntire the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and helped earn her the CMA Entertainer of the Year award, and 1986 was also the year she joined the Grand Ole Opry.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Can't Stop Now
Gary NicholsonWendy Waldman Gary NicholsonWendy Waldman Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
2
You Can Take the Wings Off Me
Troy SealsEddie Setser Troy SealsEddie Setser Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
3
Whoever's in New England #1
Kendal FranceschiQuentin Powers Kendal FranceschiQuentin Powers Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
4
I'll Believe It When I Feel It
Chris WatersTom ShapiroBucky Jones Chris WatersTom ShapiroBucky Jones Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
5
I've Seen Better Days
Red LaneDanny Morrison Red LaneDanny Morrison Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
6
Little Rock #1
Pat McManusBob DiPieroGerry House Pat McManusBob DiPieroGerry House Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
7
If You Only Knew
Diana RaeJane Mariash Diana RaeJane Mariash Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
8
One Thin Dime
Jackson LeapMichael P. Heeney Jackson LeapMichael P. Heeney Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
9
Don't Touch Me There
Michael P. Heeney Michael P. Heeney Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)
10
To Make That Same Mistake Again
Roger MurrahRichard Leigh Roger MurrahRichard Leigh Jimmy BowenReba McEntire Reba McEntire (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 22 contributors

More from Reba McEntire

Frequently Asked Questions Whoever's in New England

Who wrote 'Whoever's in New England'?
The title track was written by Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers. Reba McEntire recorded it as an interpreter and did not co-write it.
Did Reba McEntire write any songs on the album?
No. Every track was written by outside songwriters, with no McEntire writing credit on the record.
Who produced Whoever's in New England?
It was co-produced by Jimmy Bowen and Reba McEntire, recorded at Sound Stage Studio in Nashville.
What singles came from the album?
Two singles, 'Whoever's in New England' and 'Little Rock,' both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Why is this album important in Reba McEntire's career?
It was her first number one country album and her first gold record, later certified platinum, and the breakthrough that made her a country star.
Did the album win any awards?
The title track won Reba McEntire the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and the album era saw her named CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Who wrote 'Little Rock'?
'Little Rock' was written by Pat McManus, Bob DiPiero, and Gerry House.

Sources