Experience the Soulful Power of “Somebody Should Leave” by Reba McEntire (1985)
In the rich tapestry of American country music, few voices echo with the sincerity and strength of Reba McEntire. A stalwart of the genre whose contributions have left a lasting mark on generations of listeners, McEntire’s artistry is distinguished by her sincerity, expressive delivery, and deep connection to stories of real-life struggles and emotional crossroads. One such poignant example is the timeless ballad “Somebody Should Leave,” released in 1985 — a track that not only solidified her place among country music’s leading voices but also represented a turning point in how the genre approached themes of domestic complexity and emotional maturity.
Written by the gifted songwriting duo Harlan Howard and Chick Rains, “Somebody Should Leave” emerges from a tradition of storytelling steeped in relatability and restrained emotion. It is not a song of high drama or theatrical flourish; instead, it is a song of everyday heartache, the type that settles slowly and quietly into the spaces between people when years, routine, and unspoken disappointments grow heavier than love. In this track, which was featured on her 1984 album My Kind of Country and released as a single in early 1985, McEntire gives voice to a woman facing an anguished decision in the confines of a crumbling marriage — a moment rendered with painful clarity and grace.
What distinguishes McEntire’s rendition of “Somebody Should Leave” is her nuanced interpretation. She steps into the role not as a performer detached from the narrative, but as a quiet witness to life’s complexities, allowing her voice to communicate the sorrow that lines the lyrics without tipping into melodrama. The arrangement is strikingly minimal — a gentle orchestration of steel guitar, acoustic melodies, and soft percussive cadences — all the better to spotlight McEntire’s evocative vocals. It’s a style that aligns perfectly with the growing neo-traditionalist movement in country music during the 1980s, a shift toward authenticity and away from the gloss and glitz that had pervaded the genre in the previous decade.
When “Somebody Should Leave” climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1985, it did more than mark another hit for McEntire — it cemented her reputation as an interpreter of great emotional depth. This song helped earn her personal acclaim and industry recognition, notably contributing to her eventual win for the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and it remains a respected piece in her vast discography. Importantly, it gave audiences a quieter, yet no less powerful, glimpse into the reality that sometimes, love doesn’t conquer all — a message that resonated with many, and still does.
In our present era, where country music often blends into genre hybrids and crosses musical borders, listening to “Somebody Should Leave” acts as a grounding experience — a return to the fundamentals of storytelling, of emotional honesty, and of the artist’s role as narrator and conduit for lived truths. If you’ve never heard it before, now is the time to discover the profound simplicity it offers. And if it’s a favorite from your past, perhaps today is the right moment to revisit it again, with a fresh ear and an open heart.