Ever had to tell someone you were old enough to know better, and then right when they begin to reply, you tell them that you still feel too young to care? Exactly what Wade Hayes and Chicks Rains had in mind when, "Old Enough to Know Better" came to be written. Wade had it recorded on his debut album under the same name. He released the song on November 14, 1994, and hit # 1 for two weeks starting February 28, 1995. Hayes has indeed recorded other singles, and for awhile, also released other albums. However, "Old Enough to Know Better", is his only # 1 hit.
Hayes album, Old Enough to Know Better, reached # 19 on the Country Album chart, and has 4 singles display. Each one did make it to Top 10, "I'm Still Dancing with You", "Don't Stop", "What I Meant to Say", and of course, the title track (which is currently the topic of the blog). Ever noticed how Don Cook name seem to appear a lot? Well, it seems his name is going to keep appearing even more. Back in those days, Don knew exactly what he was doing. More about him in the future. In the meantime, Cook also produced Wade Hayes album, as well as written/co-written a few of the songs on the album such as, "Don't Make Me Come to Tulsa", "Kentucky Bluebird", and "Steady as She Goes". By the way, Brooks N Dunn also co-wrote, "Steady as She Goes" (both members, not just one). While on, "Kentucky Bluebird", you can hear a well known 90s country artist in the background, Patty Loveless. The titled track single was released first, then the album was released on January 3, 1995.
Earlier I mentioned the name of Chick Rains. Yes, I know. Who the heck would give a kid that kind of name? Especially if he's a guy? Now these days it seems to be normal. However, This guy is a legendary, Oklahoma Hall of Fame songwriter. So he is no stranger to the music industry. In fact, He's worked with various collaborators from late 70s and onward. Some of them were, Michael Martin Murphey, "Harley", found recorded by Johnny Cash on his 1990 album, Boom Chicka Boom. Another was with Harlan Howard, "Somebody Should Leave". Sounds familiar? Reba McEntire recorded it and released as a single in 1986. Before the 70s, Rains played in various location in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California starting from 1965. From there, he received a contract for Capitol Records. During the late 60s, Rains also served in Vietnam of 1969 and 1970. His first songwriting break came when Eddy Arnold recorded, "I Wish That I Had Loved You Better", on Arnold debut album (of the same name) in 1974. After Oak Ridge Boys recorded, "Easy", in 1977, Rains moved to Nashville in 1978. From there he's written many other singles and # 1 hits for various artist. Currently, Chick Rains resides in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he hangs with his wife and kids, and continues to write music.
So, what about the other co-writer? Lucky for Wade Hayes, he gets a whole blog to himself. After all, he recorded the song, and it still gets played even today. Until then, Here is the #1 hit of 20 years ago, "Old Enough to Know Better", by Wade Hayes.
Resource:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Enough_to_Know_Better_(song)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Enough_to_Know_Better
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chick-rains-mn0000110412/biography
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somebody_Should_Leave
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Chicka_Boom
- http://omhof.com/inductee/chick-rains/
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-wish-that-i-had-loved-you-better-mw0000973747
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