About The Song
Gene Watson, celebrated for his pure tenor voice and his unwavering commitment to traditional country music, built a career on delivering heartfelt songs with exceptional skill and sincerity. While often associated with classic tales of heartache and honky-tonk life, his repertoire occasionally ventured into more unexpected lyrical territory. A fascinating example of this is “Still They Call Me Love”, a track found on his 1981 album Between Right and Wrong. Penned by two of Nashville’s most respected songwriters, Sonny Throckmorton and Sterling Whipple, this song stands apart due to its ambitious and unusual premise: it appears to be sung from the perspective of the abstract concept of ‘Love’ itself.
Heard today, March 31, 2025, “Still They Call Me Love” offers a glimpse into the sophisticated side of early 80s country music. The production likely reflects the era – clean, polished, perhaps with subtle string arrangements or keyboard textures complementing the core country instrumentation of steel guitar, acoustic rhythm, bass, and drums. Given the song’s introspective theme, the tempo would likely be a measured ballad or mid-tempo pace, allowing space for the lyrics and Watson‘s vocal performance to command full attention. The mood would be contemplative, perhaps carrying a touch of melancholy or world-weariness appropriate to the weighty subject matter.
The conceptual nature of the lyrics is what truly distinguishes this song. Instead of a personal narrative of romance or heartbreak, the songwriters employ personification, giving voice to the enduring, powerful, and often paradoxical force that we call ‘Love’. The narrator – ‘Love’ embodied – seems to reflect on its own complex nature and its pervasive role in human experience. It likely touches upon the duality inherent in profound connection: the immense joy and happiness it can foster, but also the deep sorrow and disappointment it can precipitate. The phrase “Still They Call Me Love” suggests a sense of endurance, perhaps even a hint of resignation – acknowledging the pain sometimes associated with its presence, yet recognizing its persistent invocation and fundamental importance in people’s lives. It’s a meditation on how this powerful concept is perceived, pursued, and experienced, with all its inherent contradictions.
Gene Watson‘s interpretation of such unique material is key to its success. His vocal style – characterized by clarity, control, and nuanced emotional delivery – is perfectly suited to handling a sophisticated concept without sounding overly sentimental or artificial. One imagines him approaching the lyrics with thoughtful sincerity, embodying the personified voice of ‘Love’ with a sense of wisdom and perhaps a touch of sadness for the turmoil it sometimes witnesses or causes. He wouldn’t overplay the drama; instead, his performance would likely rely on subtle inflections and the sheer quality of his voice to convey the song’s depth. It requires an interpreter capable of communicating complex ideas with genuine feeling, a task for which Watson is exceptionally qualified.
Released on the album Between Right and Wrong, the song’s inclusion speaks to Gene Watson‘s artistic range and the quality of material he attracted from top-tier songwriters like Throckmorton and Whipple. In 1981, while country music was navigating various stylistic shifts, Watson remained a beacon for traditional sounds, yet demonstrated here his willingness to engage with lyrics that pushed beyond standard themes. “Still They Call Me Love” offers a more philosophical reflection compared to straightforward narratives, showcasing a different dimension of his artistry.
In conclusion, “Still They Call Me Love” stands as a unique and compelling entry in Gene Watson‘s extensive discography. It dares to tackle an abstract concept through personification, exploring the enduring, complex, and often contradictory nature of a fundamental human experience. Elevated by the masterful vocal performance of Gene Watson and the intelligent writing of Sonny Throckmorton and Sterling Whipple, the song transcends typical country fare, offering a poignant and thought-provoking listening experience. It remains a testament to Watson’s interpretive depth and the capacity of country music to explore profound themes with grace and intelligence.