"Right or Wrong" or "Right or Wrong " is a song written and originally recorded by Wanda Jackson, an American country, rock, and Christian music artist. Originally, the song was a major country and pop hit for Jackson in 1961. A second version was released in 1964 that became popular by American pop artist, Ronnie Dove.
Wanda Jackson version
The song was recorded at the Bradley Film and Recording Studio on October 28, 1960 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was one of Jackson's first recording sessions in Nashville. "Right or Wrong" was officially issued as a single in April 1961, peaking at number nine on the Billboard MagazineHot Country and Western Sides chart. It also reached number twenty nine on the BillboardHot 100, becoming her second top-forty single on that list. Thirdly, the single peaked at number nine on the BillboardHot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, her first entry on to the chart. "Right or Wrong" became the second top-ten country single of Jackson's career. "Right or Wrong" is associated with Wanda Jackson's "comeback" into mainstream country music. After a series of rock and roll-styled singles during the late 1950s, Jackson ultimately reverted to country and claimed to have lost her "rock" audience. She explained her reasoning to this switch in the book, Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music, stating, "Then country music began comin' back, and I had written a ballad called 'Right or Wrong' and it became a big hit...I think that when I went back to country I lost my rock and roll fans."
Chart performance
Ronnie Dove version
In 1964, American performer, Ronnie Dove, recorded Jackson's composition. The song was recorded at the RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, United Statesin September 1964. Also included on the recording session was Dove's minor hit, "Hello Pretty Girl". According to Ronnie, Elvis Presley sat in on the session. Dove's version was officially released as a single in October 1964 and it peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became Dove's first major hit as a recording artist, leading to a string of successful top-twenty hits on the Hot 100 during the 1960s. The song also became a surprise R&B hit, making it in the Top 5 in Cashbox. It was his only charting record on the R&B chart. He re-recorded the song in 1976 for Melodyland Records. This country version did not chart.
