About The Song
“She Just Started Liking Cheatin’ Songs” is a song written by Kent Robbins and recorded by American country music artist John Anderson. It was released on March 15, 1980, by Warner Bros. Nashville as the third single from his self-titled debut album, John Anderson. The B-side is “I Wish I Could Write You a Song.” The track runs 2:24 in length. Production was handled by Norro Wilson. Recording took place at Columbia Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
The single peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It reached number 60 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. This marked one of Anderson’s early charting singles following “Your Lying Blue Eyes” and preceding “If There Were No Memories.” The parent album John Anderson was released in 1980 and helped establish Anderson’s presence on the country charts during his initial Warner Bros. period.
Kent Robbins composed the song. Anderson’s version became the best-known commercial recording of the track. Alan Jackson later covered the song for his 1999 album Under the Influence. Although not released as a single, Jackson’s version received unsolicited airplay and charted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Session personnel associated with the recording include contributions from musicians such as Billy Sanford, Harold Bradley, Pete Drake, Pete Wade, Phil Baugh, Ray Edenton, Reggie Young, and Tommy Allsup on guitar; Bob Moore, Henry Strzelecki, and Tommy Cogbill on bass; Kenny Malone and Ralph Gallant on drums; Bobby Wood, David Briggs, and Hargus “Pig” Robbins on piano; Terry McMillan on harmonica; and Tommy Jackson on fiddle. Engineering credits include Lou Bradley, with mastering by M.C. Rather.
Chart documentation confirms the number 13 peak on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with no crossover onto the Billboard Hot 100. Publishing credits list Kent Robbins as the sole writer. Catalog editions preserve the original 1980 masters. The track later appeared on Anderson’s greatest-hits collections issued by Warner Bros.
Anderson’s overall chart history includes five number-one Hot Country Songs hits and twenty top-ten entries between 1977 and 2006. This single stands as an early entry in his Warner Bros. catalog and contributed to the momentum that led to subsequent top-ten releases. Discography sources list the single under the Warner Bros. catalog number WBS 49191.
The combination of Robbins’ composition, Wilson’s production, and the Nashville session work contributed to the single’s chart performance. Subsequent reissues and digital releases continue to feature the recording as part of Anderson’s early catalog. The song remains a regularly anthologized track from his debut album period.
John Anderson signed with Warner Bros. Records in the late 1970s after earlier independent releases. The self-titled debut album and its singles, including this track, formed the foundation of his initial commercial run. The recording has been included in various compilation projects covering his Warner Bros. years.
Video
Lyric
She just started liking cheatin’ songs
And what’s bothering me
I don’t know if it’s the cheatin’ she likes
Or just the melodiesI’ve never had any reason to doubt her
As far as I know she’s been true
But lately she’s had a different look in her eye
I wonder if she’s seeing somebody newYou can’t blame a body for looking
When there’s a world of people out there
But I hope she’s not taking any closer looks
I tell you, lately frankly I’ve been scared‘Cause she just started liking cheatin’ songs
And what’s bothering me
I don’t know if it’s the cheatin’ she likes
Or just the melodiesI’ve got to admit I do some looking too
But she’s the only one I love
She still tells me she still loves me
But I wonder if my love’s enough‘Cause she just started liking cheatin’ songs
And what’s bothering me
I don’t know if it’s the cheatin’ she likes
Or just the melodiesYes, she just started liking cheatin’ songs
And what’s bothering me
I don’t know if it’s the cheatin’ she likes
Or just the melodies