Introduction
In the late 1990s, country duo Brooks & Dunn—composed of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn—stood at the height of their commercial and artistic influence. In October 1997, they released the emotive ballad “He’s Got You”, penned by Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride, as the second and final single from their compilation album The Greatest Hits Collection .
The song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at number 70 in mid-October 1997 and climbed to its peak at number 2, where it remained for two consecutive weeks—even held from the top spot by Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile” . Across the border in Canada, the single fared even better, reaching number 3 on the RPM Country Tracks chart .
The Greatest Hits Collection, released September 16, 1997, showcased the duo’s most beloved tracks from their first four studio albums and included three newly recorded songs—most notably “Honky Tonk Truth” and “He’s Got You,” both of which became major hits, peaking at #3 and #2 respectively on the country charts .
The music video, directed by Steven Goldmann, premiered in December 1997. It presents a visually evocative performance of the duo amid a brewing thunderstorm—mirroring the emotional turbulence of the song itself .
“He’s Got You” remains a standout in Brooks & Dunn’s catalog, not only as one of their most poignant duets but also as an enduring symbol of heartbreak told with unflinching honesty and heartfelt delivery.
Video
Lyrics
I thought we would always be together
The love we shared was gonna last forever
Once I was your one and only
Now here I sit, Mister Lonely
He’ll hold you tonight, but I won’t
What’s he got that I don’t?
The one thing I thought I’d never lose
He’s got you
Beneath this dark cloud you left me under
Can’t sort it out so I’ll sit and wonder
I tell myself, “It hurts, don’t it”
Now my empty heart will be forever haunted
He’ll hold you tonight, but I won’t
What’s he got that I don’t?
The one thing I thought I’d never lose
He’s got you, oh
He’ll hold you tonight, but I won’t
What’s he got that I don’t?
The one thing I thought I’d never lose
He’s got you
Oh, he’s got you