Whoever's in New England (song)

"Whoever's in New England" is a song written by Kendal Franceschi and Quentin Powers, and recorded by American country music entertainer Reba McEntire. It was released in March 1986 as the first single and title track from the album Whoever's in New England. The song was considered one of her signature and breakthrough singles.

Song background

The song was written in the voice of a Southern woman who believes her husband is having an affair during his business trips up north (the video clearly shows him having at least an emotional affair with a coworker), but pledges that she will remain available to him when "whoever's in New England's through with you." ^[1] The song was inspired by Barry Manilow's 1970s Pop hit, "Weekend in New England". The 2007 Sugarland hit "Stay" was, in turn, inspired by "Whoever's in New England", and tells the story from the perspective of the mistress.

It was a career-making song for McEntire, not least because it was promoted by her first music video. Reaching number one in May 1986, it marked a major breakthrough for her, beginning a string of chart-topping hits that didn't begin to slow down for the next thirteen years. "Little Rock," the follow-up single, also hit number one, as did the Whoever's in New England album, her first LP to be certified platinum. ^[1]

In 1987, McEntire won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Whoever's in New England", her first Grammy Award. Also thanks in part to the success of the song, McEntire won a number of awards from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.

Music video

"Whoever's in New England" was McEntire's first music video. The video aired on CMT in 1986 and was quite popular as well. It was filmed in Boston, and featured footage of Boston Common, the Trinity Church, the Hancock Tower and Logan Airport.

Chart positions

Chart (1986)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles^[2]	1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	3

Preceded by "Tomb of the Unknown Love" by Kenny Rogers	Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single May 31, 1986	Succeeded by "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" by Ronnie Milsap

References

1 2 About Reba McEntire's "Whoever's In New England" at Allmusic; retrieved February 3, 2008.
↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 225.

Reba McEntire 1970s–1980s singles

Reba McEntire	"I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand" "(There's Nothing Like the Love) Between a Woman and a Man" "Glad I Waited Just for You" "I've Waited All My Life for You"

Out of a Dream	"Last Night, Ev'ry Night" "Runaway Heart" "That Makes Two of Us" (with Jacky Ward) "Sweet Dreams" "(I Still Long to Hold You) Now and Then"

Feel the Fire	"(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" "I Can See Forever in Your Eyes" "I Don't Think Love Oughta Be That Way"

Heart to Heart	"Today All Over Again" "Only You (And You Alone)"

Unlimited	"I'm Not That Lonely Yet" "Can't Even Get the Blues" "You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving"

Behind the Scene	"Why Do We Want (What We Know We Can't Have)" "There Ain't No Future in This"

Just a Little Love	"Just a Little Love" "He Broke Your Memory Last Night"

My Kind of Country	"How Blue" "Somebody Should Leave"

Have I Got a Deal for You	"Have I Got a Deal for You" "Only in My Mind"

Whoever's in New England	"Whoever's in New England" "Little Rock"

What Am I Gonna Do About You	"What Am I Gonna Do About You" "Let the Music Lift You Up" "One Promise Too Late"

The Last One to Know	"The Last One to Know" "Love Will Find Its Way to You"

Reba	"Sunday Kind of Love" "I Know How He Feels" "New Fool at an Old Game"

Sweet Sixteen	"Cathy's Clown" "'Til Love Comes Again" "Little Girl"

Guest singles	"Three Sheets to the Wind"/"I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" (with Jacky Ward) "Mind Your Own Business" (with Hank Williams, Jr. et al.)

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