“That’s Why I Love You Like I Do”
Sonny James
Written by Jack Morrow
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
June 24, 1972
Sonny James closed out his historic run on Capitol Records with a revival of his most classic B-side.
Originally released as the flip of “Young Love,” the first version of this song was a ballad and it was titled, “You’re the Reason I’m in Love.” It was a top ten country hit in 1956. James re-recorded it as a slightly more uptempo number in the late sixties, and with a few overdubs, re-released it under a new title, making it his 22nd and final No. 1 hit for Capitol Records.
I love the new version of this song because he sounds older and wiser. It’s like he knows love is both more precious and less serious now that he’s older. He’s loose and confident, enough so that he breaks out the brass instruments toward the end, just for kicks.
James won’t miss a beat, with his debut single for Columbia serving as his next chart-topper. What a fun little ending to his time on Capitol.
“That’s Why I Love You Like I Do” gets a B+.
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In all the years I have been listening to classic country music I have never heard this song. It’s decent and I like the horns. “B-“.
Make that two of us. I will keep beating the drum just how comforting I find James’ music. I love the dense production from the backup singers to the horns. I also love his vocals.
Getting to better know his massive success and significant contributions to country music has been one of the early joys of the 70s feature so far.
I had heard the song before it was released as a single as WCMS occasionally played the flip sides of hit singles such as “Young Love”. “You’re the Reason I’m in Love” is available on a Bear Family CD titled SONNY ROCKS. It was a good song, but this version is better with slightly crisper production and a slight increase in tempo. I would give this song a B+
Sonny left a few single-worthy tracks behind him when he left Capitol, which Capitol released, thus competing with his Columbia releases