"That's the Way Love Goes' is a song written by

Lefty Frizzell William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country and honky-tonk singer-songwriter. Frizell is known as one of the most influential country music vocal stylists of all time. He has been cited as in ...

and Sanger D. Shafer. It was recorded by Frizzell and included on his album ''The Legendary'', released on September 18, 1973. The following year it was released as the b-side of his single "I Never Go Around Mirrors" and was later included in compilation albums. It was also released in December 1973 by American

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

artist

Johnny Rodriguez Juan Raoul Davis "Johnny" Rodriguez (December 10, 1951 – May 9, 2025) was an American country music singer from Texas. In the 1970s and 1980s, Rodriguez was one of country music's most successful male artists, recording a string of hit songs, ...

as the second single from the album ''All I Ever Meant to Do Was Sing''. The song was Rodriguez's fourth hit on the U.S. country chart and third number one in a row. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total of 14 weeks on the chart.

Cover versions

Connie Smith Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador; August 14, 1941) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity ...

recorded the song and made it the title track of her 1974 album '' That's the Way Love Goes''.

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in country music, he was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield ...

released the song in November 1983 as the second and title track from his album '' That's the Way Love Goes''. Haggard's version was his 30th number one single. His version spent 21 weeks on the charts and won him that year's

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

for Best Country Vocal Performance — Male.Whitburn, p. 175 He charted a second rendition of the song in 1999 as a duet with Jewel, taking this version to #56 on the country charts. In 1977,

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...

covered the song on his album '' To Lefty from Willie''. In 2014,

Randy Travis Randy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country and gospel music singer and songwriter, as well as a film and television actor. Active since 1979, he has recorded over 20 studio albums and ...

covered the song on his album '' Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am''. In 2019,

Crystal Gayle Brenda Gail Webb (born January 9, 1951), known professionally as Crystal Gayle, is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit " Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same ...

covered the song on her album '' You Don't Know Me: Classic Country''.

Ronnie Dunn Ronald Gene Dunn (born June 1, 1953) is an American country music singer-songwriter and record executive. Starting in 2011, Dunn has worked as a solo artist following the temporary dissolution of Brooks & Dunn. He released his Ronnie Dunn (alb ...

then recorded his own cover for his 2020 release '' Re-Dunn'', and

Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He is known for performing a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country", as well as writing many of his own songs. Jackson has recorded 21 studi ...

covered the song on his 2021 album, '' Where Have You Gone''.

Chart performance

Johnny Rodriguez

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard and Jewel

References

1973 songs 1973 singles 1983 singles Johnny Rodriguez songs Connie Smith songs Merle Haggard songs Jewel (singer) songs Crystal Gayle songs Ronnie Dunn songs Alan Jackson songs Songs written by Sanger D. Shafer Songs written by Lefty Frizzell Song recordings produced by Jerry Kennedy Song recordings produced by Ray Baker (music producer) Mercury Records singles Epic Records singles {{1970s-country-song-stub