Why don’t they make country music like this anymore? It’s a true classic!
“Holding Her and Loving You” is a poignant country music ballad by Earl Thomas Conley, released in August 1983 as the second single from his album “Don’t Make It Easy for Me”. The song, written by Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield, tells a heart-wrenching story of a man torn between his commitment to his current partner and lingering feelings for a past love. This narrative was inspired by a friend of the songwriters who was facing a similar dilemma, making the song’s emotional depth authentic and relatable.
The recording of “Holding Her and Loving You” had its challenges. Initially, Conley and his producer Nelson Larkin were at odds about using Conley’s road band for the studio recording. They eventually decided to bring in session players, which proved to be a pivotal decision. When Larkin was introduced to the song by Brasfield, he was immediately convinced of its potential, despite his initial reluctance. The recording session was almost effortless, with Conley’s first take on the vocals being so perfect that no further takes were deemed necessary, despite Conley’s offer to re-record once he recovered from a slight illness.
The song achieved considerable success, reaching number one on Billboard’s country singles chart and becoming one of Conley’s eighteen career chart-toppers. Its resonance with listeners and peers in the music industry was further solidified when it was named “Song of the Year” by the Nashville Songwriters Association.
Earl Thomas Conley, born in 1941, was a significant figure in country music, often described as the “thinking man’s country” artist due to his introspective and narrative-rich songs. Before his breakthrough with “Holding Her and Loving You”, Conley had his first Top 40 hit with “Dreamin’s All I Do”. He continued to find success in the country music scene throughout the 1980s, becoming the first artist across any genre to have four Number One singles from a single album with “Don’t Make It Easy for Me”. Conley’s influence extended beyond country music; he was the only country artist to appear on the Soul Train music program, particularly notable for his duet with Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters.
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Despite facing challenges in the 1990s, including vocal issues and disenchantment with the industry, Conley’s legacy in country music remains enduring. He passed away in 2019 due to cerebral atrophy, leaving behind a rich discography that continues to influence artists and resonate with fans. Conley’s storytelling through music, especially in songs like “Holding Her and Loving You”, showcases his unique ability to convey complex emotions and human experiences, cementing his place as a cherished artist in the country music genre.
