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"That's the Way Love Goes' is a song written by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer. It was recorded by Lefty and included on his album The Legendary, hailed as one of the greatest country albums of all time, released on September 18, 1973. The following year it was released as the b-side of his single I Never Go Around Mirrors., and was later included in compilation albums. It was also released in December 1973 by American country music artist Johnny Rodriguez as the second single from the album All I Ever Meant to Do Was Sing. The song was Rodriguez's fourth hit on the U.S. country chart and third number one in a row. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of 14 weeks on the chart.

Cover versions

Connie Smith recorded the song and made it the title track of her 1974 album That's the Way Love Goes.

Merle Haggard released the song in November 1983 as the second and title track from his album That's the Way Love Goes. Haggard's version was his 30th number one single. His version spent 21 weeks on the charts and won him that year's Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance — Male. He charted a second rendition of the song in 1999 as a duet with Jewel, taking this version to #56 on the country charts.

In 2019, Crystal Gayle covered the song on her You Don't Know Me album. Ronnie Dunn then recorded his own cover for his 2020 release Re-Dunn, and Alan Jackson covered the song on his 2021 album, Where Have You Gone.

Chart performance

Johnny Rodriguez

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard and Jewel

References

1. "Lefty Frizzell – I Never Go Around Mirrors / That's The Way Love Goes". Discogs.com.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 358. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
3. ^ Whitburn, p. 175
4. "Johnny Rodriguez Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
5. ^ "Merle Haggard Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.

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• 1973 songs
• 1973 singles
• 1983 singles
• Johnny Rodriguez songs
• Connie Smith songs
• Merle Haggard songs
• Jewel (singer) songs
• Crystal Gayle songs
• Ronnie Dunn songs
• Alan Jackson songs
• Songs written by Sanger D. Shafer
• Songs written by Lefty Frizzell
• Song recordings produced by Jerry Kennedy
• Song recordings produced by Ray Baker (music producer)
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• Epic Records singles
• 1970s country song stubs