Ray Hood (born in Alabama) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Hood co-wrote Doug Stone's 1994 top five single "Addicted to a Dollar." Between 1996 and 2000, Hood charted two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The highest-charting of the two, "Critical List," peaked at number 67 in 2000. It received a favorable review from Deborah Evans Price of Billboard, who wrote that "Hood has an impressive, barroom-seasoned baritone that works effectively on this uptempo number." The follow-up single, "What's a Little More Water," also received a positive review from Price, who said that "all the elements are here–a stunning traditional country vocal, clean and crisp production, and a killer hook."
His eponymous second album, released by Caption Records in October 2000, received a favorable review from Ray Waddell of Billboard, who wrote that "it's not often an artist comes along who can ease from heart-wrenching country ballads to gritty machismo so effortlessly and convincingly" and called the album "one of the most complete, solid country packages to come out of Nashville this year." The album received a negative review from Tom Netherland of Country Standard Time, who said that "despite a strong baritone and Nashville's leading session men backing his dozen tracks, Hood simply veers too from the country fold."
You know you're livin' a lie when you just can't win
Pulling in first prize ain't gonna give you a break
You know I'm kickin' back, I had a broken wing
Me and my shadow are the next best thing
I need someone
You know it might take more than you give to me
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And take me in for the night in the right time zone
We'll do what you like, make a left turn home
I put out the light, you're turnin' way too red
No stop sign straight up ahead
You need so much
So much sympathy
That's more than I can say
You know it's not too late
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And if it feels good, we'll do it again
See your way clear, dead reckoning
Tell me why, tell me why
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
You mean so much
So much to me
That's more than I can say
You know it's not too late
Are you gun-shy, are you listening?
What we got here is dead reckoning
And if it feels good, we'll do it again
See your way clear, dead reckoning, yeah
What we got here is dead reckoning