“Good Lovin’ (Makes it Right)”
Tammy Wynette
Written by Billy Sherrill
Billboard
#1 (2 weeks)
August 28 – September 4, 1971
The formula is wearing a bit thin here.
Billy Sherrill penned this upbeat take on the “Stand By Your Man” formula, with a sprinkle or two of “Run, Woman, Run” in there for good measure.
It could’ve used a woman’s touch in the writing room, as this one come off more as male fantasy than lived reality, with another woman waiting in the wings to please a man should his wife fail to do so for one single moment.
The villains are the other women, of course, because the husband has no agency. It’s pretty comical, if you stop and think about the premise.
But it’s got a great groove, and Tammy navigates it nimbly, recalling earlier hits like “You’re Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad.” It’s a fun listen, if you don’t take the lyrics too seriously.
“Good Lovin’ (Makes it Right)” gets a B-.
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…when you’re hot, you’re hot.
Yes, I do agree that the formula was running a bit thin but Tammy does it so well and Billy’s production is great. I give this one a “B+”.
It is funny that for so many artists the first ten hits (if even that many) are the best remembered songs. For me, eight of my nine favorite Tammy Wynette singles were released during the 1960. That said, I enjoyed most of her later efforts. This song is a solid “B”
I agree with Paul. 60s Tammy was my favorite version of her. I feel the same way I did about the Lynn Anderson song. Good ear candy but not lyrically memorable.
I am such a fool for her singing, I struggle to muster much criticism when she still sounds this good.
Even running thin, this formula still sounds so rich and sweet to me.
Bonus Beats:
Here’s the R&B/pop singer and “Touched by an Angel” star Della Reese’s cover of “Good Lovin’ (Makes It Right)” that she released as a B-side in 1971:
https://youtu.be/OI6Kj23slCE