Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Keith Whitley Looks Back on Past Relationship with “I Wonder What You Think of Me”

Keith Whitley Looks Back on Past Relationship with “I Wonder What You Think of Me”
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

We all had that high school sweetheart we will never forget. For Keith Whitley, it was so deep and serious that even after all these years, he wondered if he still lingered in her mind. 

Written by Sanger D. Shafer, country musician Keith Whitley released “I Wonder What You Think of Me” on June 1, 1989. It was the title track to his third studio album, I Wonder Do You Think of Me. The song rose to Billboard Hot Country Songs at No. 1 and spent fourteen weeks on the chart. It also topped the Canada Country Tracks that year. 

Unfortunately, the number one hit was released the month after Whitley’s death from alcohol poisoning. Hearing him ask, “Do you think of me?” was a gut-wrenching experience for his fans. But thanks to songwriter Shafer, the song joins the list of Keith Whitley’s number-one hits.

In an interview collected by Songfacts, Shafer shared on the Billboard Book Of Number One Country Hits, “When I first got married to Lyndia, she sold her house and bought me an electric piano, and that’s the first melody I came up with.”

He finished writing the song in 1986, and regardless of Whitley’s circumstances, they had already planned to release the song. “It kind of hits the nail on the head,” Shafer said. 

Meaning Behind the Song

“I Wonder What You Think of Me” was a profound and honest narrative of a man’s yearning, and Keith Whitley was able to deliver just that. The singer recalls the places and memories he shared with his high school lover. Those teenage years were some of the most romantic moments he had when he was young and in love enough to miss classes with her. Even if they had separated ways, he would still choose to go back in time with her if he could. 

RELATED: Jamey Johnson’s Soothing Rendition of “I Wonder Do You Think of Me”

When one longs for a past love, you can’t help but think of how youthful you were back then. Unfortunately, for the singer, they didn’t have closure after they both graduated from high school. He emphasized this through the lyrics, “To a fire that’s still burning; Oh, in my heart that old graduation day. You just drifted away.” He then recalls the times he rarely played football. She would think of him as her hero. The mellow rhythm of the song further intensifies a relatable sentiment many yearners can connect with; when one speaks the universal language of love and loss, people flock together to appreciate a masterpiece. 

We often hear the line, “First love never dies.” That kind of love is often irreplaceable, no matter how many years have passed. Go back in time and reminisce about your childhood love through Keith Whitley’s “I Wonder What You Think of Me.”

Latest Stories

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen isn’t just wowing crowds on his One Night at a Time tour; he’s also rocking the world of music education. Through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, ...

Luke Combs and Eric Church's Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Country music superstars Luke Combs and Eric Church united for a powerful cause, headlining the “Concert for Carolina” to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. The star-studded event, held at Bank ...

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

When you think of Brad Paisley, you probably picture the quick-witted country star with a guitar in hand and a string of chart-toppers behind him. But there’s much more to ...

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with "Suspicious Minds" Cover

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with “Suspicious Minds” Cover

Elvis Presley’s influence on music is undeniable, and his legacy inspires generations. His 1969 hit “Suspicious Minds” remains a signature track, capturing love, conflict, and heartbreak themes. Decades later, country ...

Alan Jackson Stops "Pop a Top" at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

Alan Jackson Stops “Pop a Top” at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

It’s always remarkable when country legends support each other, especially on music’s biggest stages. Alan Jackson’s unforgettable tribute to George Jones at the 1999 CMA Awards was one such moment, ...