You can’t copyright a title, and as a result, there’ve been plenty of hits through the years that boasted a name that was the same as someone else’s hit.
But it’s not likely that there’ve been too many instances where two songs with almost the same title were being promoted at the same time by one record label. That’s exactly what’s happening now as Reba McEntire’s just released “I Keep On Loving You” to radio at the same time Steel Magnolia’s “Keep On Lovin’ You” is in the Top 25 on the national charts.
Steel Magnolia put its song out in August, and even then the timing was a little interesting given that Reba titled her album Keep On Loving You and released the CD the same month. Steel Magnolia records for Big Machine Records and Reba’s on the Valory label, but since they’re both run under the same roof, the two acts are essentially labelmates.
It probably causes a little confusion for the record execs, but you can bet neither act is confused about what they’re singing in concert. Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones’ song was written by singer-songwriter Trent Willmon and the SteelDrivers’ Chris Stapleton. Reba picked hers up from Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride.
“We were in the studio recording with [producer] Tony Brown, and Tony had said they were just finishing up some of the Brooks & Dunn songs,” Reba recalls. “He said, ‘You ought to listen to this one song.’ I just love the song. I think it is wonderful. I think it can relate to a couple who have been together for a short time or a long time, but basically a long time. We’ve been through the highs and lows and ups and downs, we’ve fought and gotten back together, but no matter what we go through, I’m going to keep on loving you. I think it’s an anniversary song.”
Reba’s single was released to radio stations Tuesday. The Steel Magnolia song makes an appearance on the Valentine’s Day soundtrack, set for release Feb. 9.
A few other songs with repetitive titles: “Young Love,” recorded by Sonny James and the Judds; “I Believe In You,” by Don Williams and Mel Tillis; “I Told You So,” by Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban; and “Don’t,” by Elvis Presley and Billy Currington.



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