“Why Not Me” is one of The Judds’ biggest hits, but what did the song mean to Naomi and Wynonna Judd? Of all the country acts of the 1980s, The Judds had one of the most unique dynamics and origins. The mother-daughter duo from Kentucky charmed listeners, gaining a following that granted them a Country Music Hall of Fame induction in 2022.
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Naomi and Wynonna were both born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky, before moving to Nashville in 1979, where Naomi worked as a hospital nurse. A chance encounter with producer Brent Maher at the hospital led to a record deal with RCA/Curb Records after he heard a demo Naomi and Wynonna recorded together. The duo went on to record six studio albums, and one Christmas album, throughout the ’80s into 1990. Unfortunately, Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis that year, and she promptly announced her resignation from The Judds. Wynonna began performing solo under her own name, amassing a following as a cultural icon.
The Judds had fourteen No. 1 hits on the country music charts over their career, and their 1984 song, “Why Not Me,” is among them. The song appeared on the album of the same name as the opener, and features an iconic, bouncy rhythm, adding a liveliness to the inquisitive lyrics.
The Meaning
Songwriters Harlan Howard, Sonny Throckmorton, and Brent Maher took extra care to custom-fit “Why Not Me” to The Judds. The song mentions their home state of Kentucky, and the tone of the lyrics compliments the stern confidence in Wynonna’s vocals.
Structured as a series of questions, the song first provides some context, suggesting the love interest is well-traveled, and searches for love wherever he finds himself on the globe. The Judds think it is silly that he doesn’t bother checking in his hometown, where the girl next door is pining for him.
You’ve been lookin’ for love all around the world / Baby, don’t you know this country girl’s still free? Why not me?
Well, you’ve finally come down to your old hometown / Your Kentucky girl’s been waiting patiently
Why not me?
In the chorus, Naomi joins Wynonna in harmony, as the lyrics begin to fantasize about moments spent with this love interest, were they to end up together. The song implies that this girl can grant him the comfort and long-term companionship he’s searching for.
Why not me on a rainy day?
Why not me to love your cares away? Why not me?
Why not me when the nights get cold? Why not me when you’re growin’ old? Why not me?
The song closes by repeating the question Oh, baby, why not me? paired with some vocals from Naomi for an added lovestruck feeling, before fading out. While straightforward in its intentions, the song took on a multifaceted meaning for the duo themselves. In an interview with PBS, Naomi and Wynonna mention the song as being an ‘anthem’ for the two of them as up-and-coming country artists: ‘We were America’s sweethearts in a sense because everyone wanted us to make it. We were mother-daughter, they knew our story, and they knew we had nothing … we were the underdog.’
The Songwriting Process
“Why Not Me,” written by Howard, Throckmorton, and Maher, came together while recording for The Judds’ sophomore album, Why Not Me. Maher, who produced the record, recalled in 2001 that he felt the album needed something more ‘uptempo,’ and enlisted the help of Howard and Throckmorton. “Sonny and I worked on the melody and Harlan worked on the lyrics,” Maher told Songwriter Universe. “Harlan said, ‘Why Not Me’ wasn’t a great title, so the rest of the song had to be killer. We finished the song in one day.’
The title “Why Not Me” would end up encompassing the song’s subject matter perfectly, as it longs for a love interest who’s too distracted by other women, and commitments, to give the girl next door a chance.
Impact
With “Why Not Me” being one of The Judds’ most successful songs, the duo performed the song throughout the ‘80s, and a couple more times together in 1991 and 2002. Wynonna would take to performing the song on her own into 2022, including at CMA Fest 2022 alongside Carly Pearce, and at The Judds’ final concert in November 2022
Naomi Judd sadly passed away in April 2022 at age 76. Ashley Judd, Wynonna’s sister, used Naomi’s passing to raise awareness about mental health issues, as Naomi long struggled with depression. Wynonna spoke about her grief on The Today Show, stating that, “The fans are literally helping me through the stuff that I would have to go on my own.”
While The Judds are no longer, their mark has been made on country music, with Wynonna continuing to inspire young musicians—the new underdogs, just as her and her mother were in the mid-’80s.
Photo by Ebet Roberts/Getty Images
