While most country fans identify Ronnie Dunn as one-half of the beloved country duo Brooks & Dunn, the Texas native also made a name for himself. In fact, Dunn has also released solo albums – wherein his debut solo studio album entered No. 1 on Billboard Top Country Albums, as well as No. 5 on the Billboard 200. He also founded his own record label, Little Will-E Records.
Of course, Dunn is an accomplished songwriter. He has written or co-written some of Brooks & Dunn’s biggest hits.
With so many remarkable tracks under his name, it’s no surprise that fellow country stars have clamored to record their own original tracks written by Dunn. Let’s take a look at some of the songs that were penned by him and were recorded by other artists.
1. Darned If I Don’t (Danged If I Do)
From: Shenandoah’s In the Vicinity of the Heart (1995)
Dunn co-wrote the song with country singer-songwriter Dean Dillion, which turned out to be a huge hit for the country music group Shenandoah. The song ranked No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and earned Shenandoah a Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
2. I Keep On Lovin’ You
From: Reba McEntire’s Keep On Loving You (2009)
Dunn teamed up with his frequent co-writing partner, country singer Terry McBride, for “I Keep On Lovin’ You,” which tells the story of a woman who chose to continue loving her partner despite his past mistakes.
When McEntire heard the song, she identified with it because of her marriage to her manager, Narvel Blackstock – wherein they fought and got back together. And whatever they will go through, McEntire said she’ll keep on loving her man.
For You
3. No U in Oklahoma
From: Reba McEntire’s Stronger than the Truth (2019)
Here’s another song Dunn wrote for McEntire. The two have actually been long-time friends.
McEntire came up with the title as a play on words, which she sent to Dunn while they were on vacation in Cancun. Dunn then began riffing and playing – and soon enough, they were already recording a rough demo of the song.
The songstress revealed that she wrote another version of “No U in Oklahoma,” where she fixed some of the lines to make it easier for her to sing – however, this version was ultimately shot down by her producer, Buddy Cannon.
4. Don’t Leave, I Think I Love You
From: Toby Keith’s Shock’n Y’all (2003)
Dunn wrote “Don’t Leave, I Think I Love You” with Toby Keith, who then included this pleading ballad in his eighth studio album. Shock’n Y’all is also the home to Keith’s hit singles, “I Love This Bar” and “American Soldier.”
So, there you have it, songs written by country icon Ronnie Dunn. Did you know he wrote these songs?
