You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody
"You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" is a song written by Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in December 1994 as the second single from his album Lead On.
| "You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by George Strait | ||||
| from the album Lead On | ||||
| B-side | "What Am I Waiting For" | |||
| Released | December 5, 1994 | |||
| Recorded | April 19, 1994[1] | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length |
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| Label | MCA 54964 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Steve Clark, Johnny MacRae | |||
| Producer(s) | Tony Brown, George Strait | |||
| George Strait singles chronology | ||||
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Content edit
The song is about a man who proposes to his girlfriend, but she rejects it. In a play on the proverb, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink," the woman tearfully explains that—despite her best efforts—she is simply not in love with her boyfriend ("You can lead a heart to love, but you can't make it fall").
Critical reception edit
Larry Flick, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a fine ballad. He goes on to say that Strait and co-producer Tony Brown have "refined the song search process to a science, and the singer outdoes himself here."[2]
Chart positions edit
"You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of December 24, 1994.
| Chart (1994–1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[3] | 2 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[4] | 11 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
Year-end charts edit
| Chart (1995) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] | 28 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 42 |
References edit
- ^ Latest Greatest Sraitest Hits (CD). George Strait. MCA Nashville. 2000.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Billboard, January 7, 1995
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 7968." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. March 13, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "George Strait Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "George Strait Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1995". RPM. December 18, 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1995: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1995. Retrieved July 21, 2013.