Key's in the Mailbox

Background and content

Key's in the Mailbox was recorded in Spring 1991 at the Music Mill and the Digital Recorders in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Unlike her past release, Mandrell used Jerry Crutchfield as the lead producer instead of Jimmy Bowen. The album consisted of ten tracks of songs recorded in a traditional country arrangement, similar to that of her previous Capitol releases. The title track (the opening cut of the album) was written by Harlan Howard, whom Mandrell had previously recorded from on her 1988 release I'll Be Your Jukebox Tonight. The second track entitled "Tall Drink of Water" included a Country and Western arrangement. "Try Gettin' Over You" was co-written by American pop artist Michael Bolton and "I Love You Because" had previously been recorded by Leon Payne and Elvis Presley. The album also includes a cover of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". The album was originally released on a compact disc upon its release in 1991 and was also available on audio cassette. Bill Carpenter of Allmusic gave Key's in the Mailbox three out five stars, calling the album "Heartful soul and contemporary country."

Release

Key's in the Mailbox was released on September 24, 1991 and peaked at #62 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart shortly afterward. It would be Mandrell's final release to chart on any Billboard album list. Key's in the Mailbox spawned four singles between 1991 and 1992, none of which charted on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart or the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The title track was released as the first single, followed by "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1991. "I Love You Because" and "Try Gettin' Over You" were both released in 1992. Key's in the Mailbox was Mandrell's final studio release for Capitol Records, after recording four albums for the label between 1988 and 1991.

Track listing

1. "The Key's in the Mailbox" – (Harlan Howard) 2:10
2. "Tall Drink of Water" – 2:26
3. "You're All I've Got to Lose" – 3:19
4. "Before I'm Ever Over You" – 2:27
5. "When a Man Loves a Woman" – (Percy Sledge) 3:18
6. "This Rock" – 3:18
7. "Try Gettin' Over You" – (Michael Bolton, Doug James) 4:03
8. "The Way I Feel Right Now" – 3:01
9. "I Love You Because" – (Leon Payne) 3:11
10. "Road to Your Heart" – 3:12

Personnel

Sales chart positions