About The Song
“You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody” is a poignant country ballad recorded by George Strait for his fifteenth studio album, Lead On. The album was released on November 8, 1994, by MCA Nashville Records. The track was written by Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark, with production handled by Tony Brown and George Strait himself.
The song narrates the story of a man proposing marriage at a romantic dinner, only to be gently rejected by his partner, who admits she has tried but cannot force her heart to love him. Strait’s understated vocal delivery amplifies the emotional weight of the lyrics. The track runs 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
It was released as the second single from Lead On in December 1994, following the lead single “The Big One,” which had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “You Can’t Make a Heart Love Somebody” debuted on the chart and steadily climbed, reaching No. 1 on March 11, 1995, where it spent one week at the top. This marked Strait’s 31st No. 1 hit on the Billboard country chart.
The single also achieved No. 1 status on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. Lead On itself peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipments of one million copies in the United States. Other singles from the album included “Adalida” (No. 3) and “Lead On” (No. 7).
Contemporary reviews were positive; Billboard magazine’s Larry Flick called it a “fine ballad” and noted that Strait and producer Tony Brown had refined their song selection process, with Strait delivering one of his strongest performances. Songwriters Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark were established Nashville writers, with MacRae having credits on hits for artists like Reba McEntire.
By the mid-1990s, George Strait was firmly established as country music’s leading traditionalist, and this single contributed to his ongoing record-breaking chart success. The track later appeared on compilations such as Latest Greatest Straitest Hits (2000) and 50 Number Ones (2004).
Video
Lyric
At a table for two with candlelight and wine
That diamond burnin’ holes in his pockets
Thinkin’ now’s the perfect time
When he popped the question he could see
The teardrops fill her eyes
She said I knew this was comin’
And I’m sorry but I hope you realizeYou can’t make a heart love somebody
You can tell it what to do
But it won’t listen at all
You can’t make a heart love somebody
You can lead a heart to love
But you can’t make it fallThen she reached for his hand
And said I want you to know
I’ve done everything that I know of
To make the feeling grow
I’ve begged and I’ve pleaded with my heart
But there’s no gettin’ through
My heart’s the only part of me
That’s not in love with youYou can’t make a heart love somebody
You can tell it what to do
But it won’t listen at all
You can’t make a heart love somebody
You can lead a heart to love
But you can’t make it fallYou can’t make a heart love somebody
You can tell it what to do
But it won’t listen at all
You can’t make a heart love somebody
You can lead a heart to love
But you can’t make it fallYou can lead a heart to love
But you can’t make it fall