About The Song
“Don’t We All Have the Right” was written by Roger Miller and originally recorded by him in 1970, later covered by Ricky Van Shelton. It was released in April 1988 as the fifth and final single from Shelton’s debut album, Wild-Eyed Dream, on Columbia Records. The song became Shelton’s third consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and also topped the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, solidifying his early success.
The song was recorded in Nashville, produced by Steve Buckingham, with Shelton’s rich baritone vocals leading the track. The recording featured a traditional country arrangement with steel guitars and a steady rhythm, reflecting the neotraditional sound popular in the late 1980s. The track runs approximately 2:30.
The lyrics tell the story of a man who laughs off his lover’s departure, believing she’ll return, only to realize his mistake, with lines like “I laughed it off when she left, I thought she’d come back again.” Shelton’s version enhances the original’s emotional depth, portraying vulnerability and the universal theme of human error in love.
The music video, though not widely detailed, aligns with the era’s typical country video style, featuring Shelton performing with a simple backdrop, released around the single’s chart run in 1988. It gained moderate airplay, supporting the song’s popularity.
Upon release, “Don’t We All Have the Right” achieved significant success, spending several weeks on the charts and contributing to Wild-Eyed Dream’s platinum certification. The album, released in 1987, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, marking Shelton as one of the year’s top male vocalists.
Shelton, born on January 12, 1952, in Danville, Virginia, promoted the single with live performances and TV appearances. Raised in Grit, Virginia, he transitioned from gospel and pop to country music, moving to Nashville in 1984, where this hit helped launch his career alongside other No. 1s like “Somebody Lied.”
The song remains a fan favorite, appreciated for Shelton’s warm vocal delivery and its relatable narrative. It continues to be featured in country music retrospectives, reflecting his impact during the late 1980s country boom.
Video
Lyric
I laughed it off when she left
I thought she’d come back again
Don’t we all have the right
To be wrong now and thenShe won’t come home
Says her love will never be mine again
Don’t we all have the right
To be wrong now and thenGuess I wasn’t so smart after all
I forgot that with love there are two ways to fall
I laughed it off when she left
Said she’d come back again
Don’t we all have the right
To be wrong now and then(Instrumental break)
Guess I wasn’t so smart after all
I forgot that with love there are two ways to fall
I laughed it off when she left
Said she’d come back again
Don’t we all have the right
To be wrong now and thenShe won’t come home
Says her love will never be mine again
Don’t we all have the right
To be wrong now and then