"What Are We Doin' in Love" by Dottie West and Kenny Rogers

Song#:  0549
Date:  03/28/1981
Debut:  78
Peak:  14
Weeks:  20
Genre:  Adult Contemporary, Country Crossover



Pop Bits:  West's first album of the 80s proved to be one of her best-selling and most popular. It started off with the #1 country single "Are You Happy Baby" and continued with this second #1 single that ended up being her biggest hit on the pop chart. But the momentum built up by this pair of hits couldn't be sustained and this song would be her last country Top 10 and her last pop chart entry. The song also snagged a Grammy nod for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.

ReduxReview:  I loved this song right off the bat and ran out to get the single. It is a terrific AC ballad and has been a favorite of mine. The arrangement is a little dated now, but the quality of the song comes through regardless.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Although this song is a duet with Kenny Rogers, he was not originally credited. The single was just listed as by Dottie West. However, with later iterations of the song on compilations, Rogers' name was added.  2) Although chart success faded, West was a popular touring act. But by 1990, her finances were in shambles with the divorce from her third husband, bad investments, overspending, and tax issues. She declared bankruptcy and the IRS basically took everything. She was getting back on her feet and was planning a comeback when on her way to the Grand Ole Opry, her car (give to her by Kenny Rogers) broke down. A neighbor offered her a ride and pressed for time they made a frantic sprint. The driver lost control of the car and they crashed. Initially, West thought she was fine, but it ended up she had internal damage and she died during her third surgical procedure in 1991. A TV movie about her life called "Big Dreams and Broke Hearts" was made in 1994 starring Michele Lee. Several country stars appeared in the movie as themselves including Kenny Rogers.

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