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45 single, Side A. Reprise (7-19760) (1990)
Image credit: KSMusicGeeks at 45cat.com
"Love Is Strange" is a single by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released on July 23, 1990, by Reprise Records as the first single from Kenny's album of the same name. The song was written by Ellas McDaniel, Mickey Baker, and Sylvia Robinson. It was produced by Jim Ed Norman and Eric Prestidge. Mikey & Sylvia first recorded the song in 1956 and took it to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kenny and Dolly's cover peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Track listing

Side A
  • Love Is Strange (duet with Dolly Parton) (Ellas McDaniel, Mickey Baker, Sylvia Robinson) 3:27
​Side B
  • Walk Away (Tom Kell, Bob Carpenter) 4:40

Music video

The single's music video was directed by ​Gerry Wenner.

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the August 4, 1990 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "A spirited and suitably cutesy cover of Mickey & Sylvia's 1957 hit. Stranger than love, though, is the spectacle of Rogers and Parton romping in this teen territory."

Cashbox also reviewed the single in their August 4, 1990 issue. It said, "When these two get together, the results are much more than just "good work." In addition to flaunting good work, Rogers and Parton let us know that cutting a song in the studio can be a blast of fun. You'll perhaps best remember this Mickey & Silvia tune from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Although Rogers and Parton's version sparks a bit more Southern charm, the two manage to polish the lyrics with tight harmony, enthusiasm and Parton's all-natural giggle – definitely a radio favorite."
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Billboard review, August 4, 1990.
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Cashbox review, August 4, 1990.

Commercial performance

"Love Is Strange" debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated August 18, 1990. It peaked at number 21 on the chart dated September 22, its sixth week on the chart. It reminded there for two additional weeks and charted for 20 weeks. The single also peaked at number 16 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart and number 14 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart. It peaked at number 145 in Australia.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Love Is Strange liner notes.
"Love Is Strange"
  • Larry Byrom – electric guitar
  • Steve Gibson – electric guitar
  • Vince Gill – background vocals
  • Christopher Harris – background vocals
  • Mark Heimermann – background vocals
  • Gary Janney – background vocals
  • Mike Lawler – synthesizer
  • Paul Leim – drums
  • Terry McMillan – percussion
  • Glen Meadows – mastering
  • Phil Naish – synthesizer
  • ​Jim Ed Norman – producer
  • Dolly Parton – duet vocals
  • Jim Photoglo – background vocals
  • Eric Prestidge – producer, mixing
  • Kenny Rogers – lead vocals
  • Matt Rollings – electric piano
  • Harry Stinson – background vocals
  • Glenn Worf – bass
"Walk Away"
  • Steve Gibson – electric guitar
  • Carl Gorodetzky – concertmaster, contractor
  • Christopher Harris – background vocals
  • Mark Heimermann – background vocals
  • Gary Janney – background vocals
  • Bernie Leadon – mandola
  • Paul Leim – percussion
  • ​Glen Meadows – mastering
  • Phil Naish – synthesizer
  • The Nashville String Machine – orchestra
  • ​Jim Ed Norman – producer
  • Eric Prestidge – producer, mixing
  • Kenny Rogers – lead vocals
  • Bobby Taylor – oboe
  • Bergen White  – string arrangement, conductor
  • Glenn Worf - bass

Alternate artwork

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US cassette tape sleeve. Reprise (9 19760-4) (1990)
Image credit: MrPizzaBoxMan at discogs.com
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European 45 picture sleeve. Reprise (5439-19760-7) (1990)
Image credit: VinylChiel at discogs.com