“Turn on the Radio” - Story Behind the Lyrics

Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 10:24 AM, CDT | TheBoot.com

‘Turn on the Radio’ is the first single from Reba McEntire’s upcoming album, due in November. Writer Cherie Oakley, who is currently on the road with Gretchen Wilson—as well as working her own solo album on Redneck Records—tells The Boot about the inspiration behind the song, and the surprising phone call she received which sealed the deal.

I co-wrote this song with Mark Oakley and J.P. Twang. It’s always so much fun when the three of us get together and make music. We are able to bring such completely different thoughts to the table, which makes it really interesting. We sort of push each other to different levels in different ways.

The song started with just a simple idea. A strong woman who had been done wrong by her man and now he wants to get back in touch. We all sat down one morning in May in our home studio and Mark began playing a riff on his guitar. This really set the stage for the entire attitude of the song. With that and the basic idea, it just all started flowing out of us. Different melody ideas and lyrics just came pouring out.

We set out to write something upbeat, fun and in your face. I’m not a writer who can sit down and try to write a song specifically for someone. I’m a singer and an artist, so I always write what I would like to say and how I would like to say it. Every singer wants an attitude song. Something they can really sink their teeth into. This song had only been completed a matter of days when Reba’s people stumbled upon it.

Reba actually called and asked me personally if she could cut the song. She is such a brilliant artist who has influenced me and so many others in so many ways. It truly was a surreal experience. When I said yes, she was so excited! She said, “You have made my day, Cherie.” I was like, “No, you have made MY day!”

Reba cut it within 24 hours of that phone call. I felt so honored to find out that she wanted me to sing the background vocals on it as well. It was such a cool experience to hear it for the first time. Words can’t really describe it. She just nailed the vocal and [producer] Dann Huff, as always, did amazing work with the production. I just was blown away. When you write a song, you have a distinct vision for it. I have to say, I could not be happier.

Reba called again to let us know that it would be the first single chosen to promote her new album. We just sat there speechless! None of this has sunk in with me at all yet. It’s my first major cut—CRAZY!

‘Turn on the Radio’ will be available at iTunes beginning August 3.

Posted by Kevin on 07/22/2010 at 10:24 AM