We Just Disagree

Album: Let It Flow (1977)
Charted: 12
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by Jim Krueger, a guitarist from Manitowoc, Wisconsin who joined Dave Mason's band in 1974. Affectionately and ironically known as "bruiser" (he was actually very soft-spoken), Krueger became Mason's trusted musical partner at a time when he sorely needed the help. Mason, a former member of the band Traffic, signed a deal with Columbia Records in 1973 that demanded two albums a year from him. It was Clive Davis who signed Mason, but Davis departed the label soon after, leaving Mason in the lurch.
  • The song is about a couple who have parted ways, possibly via divorce, and have agreed to set aside their differences and stop assigning blame. The song could describe any number of scenarios where a relationship goes sour; Mason connected with the song based on his numerous conflicts with band members, love interests and record labels.

    In our interview with Mason, he explained: "I did it because I thought it was a great song. An unusual chord arrangement behind it. And it stood up - it was a song that when he sang it to me, it was like, 'Yeah, that's the song.' Just him and a guitar, which is usually how I judge whether I'm going to do something. If it holds up like that I'll put the rest of the icing on it.

    I was going to cut it anyway, but I frankly thought it was too good a song to be a hit. Sounds strange. And it wasn't a huge hit, it got to #12. But it's been around. It's a great song. It's a timeless song."
  • Mason included the song on his 1977 album Let It Flow, but it wasn't chosen as the first single: that honor went to "So High (Rock Me Baby And Roll Me Away)," which peaked at #89. "We Just Disagree" was the second single, and it became Mason's biggest hit as a solo artist.
  • Jim Krueger, who wrote the song, also played the 12-string guitar and sang the harmony vocal. Krueger, who died of pancreatitis in 1993 at age 43, included this song on his only solo album, the 1978 release Sweet Salvation.
  • This stripped-down song stood out in 1977 amid the disco offerings that proliferated on the radio. It held up well when Mason and Krueger set out on an acoustic tour in 1981, making them one of the first "unplugged" acts. The song was a staple of their setlist, and one Mason continued to play live after Krueger's death.
  • The Country singer Billy Dean covered this song in 1994, taking it to #9 on the Country chart.

Comments: 8

  • Michael from VirginiaThis song along with The Statler Brothers' one takes the blame, will always stand out in my mind. Then, when I think of those songs, I think of the third song in this trio of songs. That being Ronnie Milsaps stranger in my house. These 3 songs, along with Gordon Lightfoot's If you could read my mind encapsulate the complexities of relationships.
  • Travis from TexasIt reminds me of my first love, unfortunately now my ex. We were high school sweethearts in Utah. I am over 60 now. Still dream of her like she is my Wife. Miss you Ann.
  • Cmj from St. LouisI’ve liked this song since I was a kid in the 70’s. The words are very apropos for many things where people have differences, such as relationships, families, and especially now with today’s political disputes. Would be nice if we all amicably agreed to disagree and still respect other opinions more.
  • Rabbi Meyer from Central WisconsinI was listening to a solo guitar player providing the entertainment following the Wolfman Triathlon yesterday [9/7/24 - a kayak, mtn bike, run through the woods along the Wolf River]. He introduced this song as being written by a guy from Manitowoc. I've loved this song since it came out. I had no idea.
  • Mo from Mesa Arizonaa timeless tune, stands up to anything today.
  • Tom Metselaar from Whitby, Ont, Canadagreat song.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenSo true that this song "stood out amidst the disco offerings that proliferated on the radio" and I was grateful for that at the time.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 28th 1977, "We Just Disagree" by Dave Mason entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #80; and on November 20th, 1977 it peaked at #12 {for 2 weeks} and spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #19 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
    Between 1970 and 1980 he had seven Top 100 records; his next biggest hit was a covered version of the Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", it peaked at #39 in 1978...
    David Thomas Mason will celebrate his 69th birthday come next May 10th {2015}.
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