Reviving “Does He Love You” with Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson

By 1992, Reba McEntire’s career in country music was already well-established and showing no signs of slowing down. Her record label had high hopes for the new single “Does He Love You” when they presented it to her. Initial efforts to pair her with well-known artists like Wynonna Judd or Trisha Yearwood for a duet did not pan out, leading to a collaboration with Linda Davis. This partnership proved to be a resounding success, earning Reba a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration and marking her 18th number one single.

Reba has always been open to performing “Does He Love You” with different artists. In 2007, she and Kelly Clarkson performed a cover of the song on CMT Crossroads, which was met with enthusiastic acclaim. Fans commented on how well their voices blended, noting, “These two ladies are fire together.” Reba herself acknowledged the emotional depth of the song in a video of the performance, which has since gone viral, amassing over 11 million views.

Reba McEntire and her duet partners not only deliver outstanding vocal performances but also deeply immerse themselves in their roles. Portraying the song’s characters—a bereaved widow and a yearning mistress—they directed their lyrics toward each other on stage, creating a palpable tension as if they were truly embroiled in a dramatic confrontation. An admirer noted, “No matter who Reba sings this with, she ALWAYS gets into full character and sings it straight from the heart as though she’s having this conversation.” This deep engagement with their roles enhanced the audience’s appreciation, especially as the singers recounted the song’s poignant backstory.

In 2021, Reba brought new life to “Does He Love You” by collaborating with Dolly Parton. Though it wasn’t released as a single, their rendition charted on two separate US country music charts. They also created a music video where they depicted resolving a complex affair, each playing a different role in a bar setting. Reba’s acting skills shone once again. The video has attracted over six million views, with many viewers expressing delight at seeing these two country music legends come together for such a powerful performance.