We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This

"We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" is a song written by Jim Lauderdale, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in September 1998 as the third and final single from his album One Step at a Time. It peaked at number four in the United States and number two in Canada.

"We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This"
Single by George Strait
from the album One Step at a Time
Released	September 8, 1998
Recorded	September 11, 1997[1]
Genre	Country
Length	2:29
Label	MCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Jim Lauderdale
Producer(s)	Tony Brown George Strait[2]
George Strait singles chronology
"True" (1998) "We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" (1998) "Meanwhile" (1999)

Background and writing

Jim Lauderdale told Taste of Country that the song came to him when he was living in Nashville. He was living in Buddy and Julie Miller’s apartment above their house. They were working on an album, so to get some sleep, he went over to the Union Station hotel and found a good writing room."^[3]

Critical reception

Larry Flick, of Billboard reviewed the song favorably, saying that the melody is "infectious and the production is positively inventive." He goes on to call it "fun, frisky, and totally entertaining."^[4]

Chart positions

"We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This" debuted at number 72 on the Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart dated May 2, 1998, from unsolicited airplay.

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5]	2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6]	4