“What’s Going On in Your World”
George Strait
Written by David Chamberlain, Royce Porter, and Red Steagall
Radio & Records
#1 (1 week)
June 30, 1989
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
July 22, 1989
When we covered “If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin’)” earlier this year, I noted how that song showcased what a great pop singer Strait is. He smoothed the edges off a twangy hillbilly classic and made it palatable for modern country audiences raised on the Eagles and Willie Nelson.
“What’s Going On in Your World” was an original recording by Strait, but lyrically it harkens back to those lush, orchestral Eddy Arnold ballads like “What’s He Doing in My World.” But there’s no Arnold-esque delivery here from Strait. He gives one of his twangiest vocals yet, giving the lonesome wail of Hank Williams a good run for its money.
Strait’s vocal combined with the staunchly traditional instrumentation make for a raw, vulnerable record that stands out among Strait’s professionally polished work. It’s no wonder he was voted Entertainer of the Year just weeks after this song topped the charts. He’s ending the decade on a high note.
“What’s Going On in Your World” gets an A.
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My opinion varies on the daily, since George Strait has so many great songs, but this is probably in my top 5 Strait songs and might be number one some days. Pure country heartache perfection.
Definitely one of the most stone-cold country songs in Strait’s songbook. He definitely pulls it off, but at least to my ears the vocal delivery was intended to be palatable to contemporary audiences in the same way you described his performance of “If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin)”. I didn’t pick up on any retro Hank Williams stylings, but I have no vocal training whatsoever so take my amateur read with a grain of salt. As for the song, I’d forgotten how closely it tracks with the lyrical hook of Mark Chesnutt’s “I Just Wanted You to Know”. The melody and tempo of Chesnutt’s song are better-suited to my personal preference, but that doesn’t mean this one isn’t a winner as well.
Grade: B
For me, the wonder of Strait’s vocals is the subtlety with which he can service either a pop-leaning song or a hard country one with equal grace and skill. The production and instrumentation dictate which version of Strait the listener will receive as the gap between sophisticated Strait and hillbilly Strait is not great.
He is remarkably consistent at simply serving the song.
Strait’s entire career is sustained on a high note, no?
I love how unapologetically and intoxicatingly country this song sounds.