“We Did But Now You Don’t”
Conway Twitty
Written by Woody Bomar, Berni Clifford, and Pat McManus
Radio & Records
#1 (1 week)
November 19, 1982
The second single from Dream Maker made such a huge impact that its lead single has largely been relegated to the dustbins of history.
That’s a damn shame, because “We Did But Now You Don’t” is Conway Twitty continuing to operate at the highest level. It’s a smart, tender ballad about how young love doesn’t always triumph. In this case, the high school sweethearts have been together for many years now. He still loves her, but she’s outgrown him.
The pure ache in Twitty’s vocal is palpable, but he also communicates the wisdom that comes with age and the willingness to let someone go that comes with real unconditional love.
When Michael Martin Murphey asked “What’s Forever For,” he didn’t bother to wonder if staying together forever really was the better option when love has faded. Twitty understands that the pain of being left behind hurts, but it doesn’t justify keeping a woman where she doesn’t want to be because she made a promise many years based on feelings that are no longer there.
At its best, country music is for grownups who have learned over time that life is complicated and things don’t always work out the way we want them to. “We Did But Now You Don’t” agrees with “What’s Forever For” that divorce is sad, but it also knows that it’s sometimes necessary.
“We Did But Now You Don’t” gets an A.
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If you ever wondered where the inspiration for Toby Keith’s album cut “You Don’t Anymore” from his 1997 “Dream Walkin'” came from, now you know.
Keith from that era of his career was amazing but Conway is still king in the early eighties. I would follow him anywhere musically. That signature grinding growl to his vocals and that amazing helmet of hair. Really, what’s not to love?
As Kevin points out, this is when country had mature emotional content and was intentionally and purposefully marketed to adults.