In the golden era of 1970s country music, few duos commanded the airwaves and the stage quite like Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. Their collaborations were more than chart-toppers—they were emotional dramas set to melody, stories of temptation, heartbreak, loyalty, and longing that felt as real as the lives of the people listening at home.
Among their many memorable recordings, one duet stands out for its daring honesty and emotional complexity: “The Only Way Around It (Is Right Through The Middle)”, released in 1976 on their joint album United Talent. At a time when country music was wrestling with themes of fidelity and morality, this song walked straight into the gray area—and refused to apologize for it.
A Story Too Real for Comfort
Country music has always been a storyteller’s genre. It thrives on real-life dilemmas, messy emotions, and hard truths. “The Only Way Around It (Is Right Through The Middle)” taps into a narrative as old as country itself: two people trapped in unhappy marriages who find comfort—and perhaps something more—in each other.
From the first verse, there’s a weight in the air. Twitty and Lynn don’t sing as carefree lovers chasing excitement. They sound weary. Their voices carry the fatigue of compromise, the ache of unmet needs, and the quiet desperation of people who feel boxed in by circumstance.
The title itself is a powerful metaphor. There’s no sneaking around the edges, no gentle escape route. The only way to face their emotional turmoil is to walk directly through it—through the center of the conflict, the guilt, the longing. It’s a phrase that suggests inevitability. Once emotions reach a certain point, there’s no easy detour.
And that’s what makes the song so compelling. It doesn’t glamorize infidelity. It doesn’t paint the situation as romantic fantasy. Instead, it acknowledges the emotional storm that builds when two lonely hearts collide.
The Chemistry That Defined an Era
By 1976, Twitty and Lynn were already established as country royalty. Their duets throughout the early and mid-1970s had consistently climbed the charts, thanks in part to their undeniable chemistry. On stage, they teased and bantered. On record, they blended seamlessly—his smooth, velvety baritone wrapping around her sharp, emotionally charged delivery.
In this song, that chemistry becomes the engine of the story.
Twitty’s voice carries restraint. He sounds like a man trying to remain steady, even as his resolve weakens. Lynn, on the other hand, brings vulnerability edged with strength. She never sounds naïve; she sounds aware—aware of the consequences, aware of the line being crossed.
When their voices meet in harmony, there’s tension. Not theatrical tension, but emotional friction—the kind that feels authentic. You believe these characters. You believe the pull between them. That authenticity is what elevated their collaborations beyond simple duets into full-fledged conversations set to music.
A Reflection of Changing Times
The mid-1970s were a fascinating period for country music. Traditional themes still dominated—family, faith, heartbreak—but there was also a growing willingness to explore more controversial subjects. Divorce rates were rising in America. Social norms were shifting. People were beginning to speak more openly about dissatisfaction and emotional needs.
“The Only Way Around It (Is Right Through The Middle)” fits squarely within that cultural moment. It doesn’t celebrate rebellion, but it doesn’t condemn desire either. Instead, it presents a moral crossroads and lets listeners sit with the discomfort.
That’s what made Twitty and Lynn so powerful as a duo. They didn’t preach. They portrayed.
And audiences responded. Their collaborations throughout the 1970s produced a string of No. 1 country hits, cementing their status as one of the most successful male-female duos in the genre’s history. While this particular track may not be as frequently discussed as some of their biggest chart-toppers, it remains a fan favorite for those who appreciate country storytelling at its most nuanced.
Musical Simplicity, Emotional Depth
Musically, the song leans into classic 1970s country production: steady rhythm, warm steel guitar lines, and understated instrumentation that allows the vocals to remain front and center. There are no flashy arrangements. No dramatic orchestral swells.
That restraint is intentional.
The real drama lives in the lyrics and delivery. Every pause between lines feels deliberate. Every harmony line adds emotional weight. It’s the kind of song that demands attention—not because it shouts, but because it confesses.
There’s also something timeless about its structure. Strip away the production, and the core of the song would still resonate today. Loneliness within relationships, emotional connections forming in unexpected places, the internal battle between duty and desire—these themes never go out of style.
Why It Still Resonates Today
Nearly five decades later, “The Only Way Around It (Is Right Through The Middle)” continues to feel relevant. Modern listeners may hear it through a different lens, perhaps more attuned to conversations about emotional fulfillment and personal boundaries. Yet the heart of the song remains universal.
We’ve all faced moments where the “right” choice isn’t clear-cut. Where emotions complicate logic. Where stepping forward feels both necessary and risky.
That’s what this duet captures so beautifully: the moment before a decision. The suspended breath. The awareness that once you move forward, nothing will be quite the same.
In an era of polished pop-country and digital production, revisiting this 1976 recording feels grounding. It reminds us of a time when storytelling reigned supreme and when two voices alone could carry an entire emotional narrative.
A Legacy Carved in Harmony
The partnership between Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn remains one of country music’s most celebrated collaborations. Their ability to portray complex relationships with honesty and depth set a standard that many duos still strive to reach.
“The Only Way Around It (Is Right Through The Middle)” may not be their most commercially famous duet, but artistically, it stands as a testament to their courage. It dared to explore uncomfortable territory. It trusted listeners to understand emotional complexity.
And perhaps that’s why it lingers.
Because at its core, the song isn’t just about two people in troubled marriages. It’s about the human condition—the way we search for connection, the risks we weigh, and the paths we choose when there’s no easy way out.
So if you’re in the mood for a country song that doesn’t sugarcoat reality—one that leans into the messy middle of love and life—this duet is worth revisiting. Turn down the lights, let the steel guitar hum, and listen closely.
Sometimes, the only way around it really is right through the middle.