On Wednesday 17 November 2021, Gene Watson remembered recording ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was included on the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood’s 1980 movie, ‘Any Which Way You Can’.
‘On today’s date (Monday 17 November) back in 1980, Warner Bros Records released the soundtrack from Clint Eastwood’s movie, ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which included my song ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman).
Clint Eastwood requested I do the song, so I flew out to LA to record it’
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook
However, before Gene Watson‘s career got underway at MCA Records, the single ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was included on the Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’, reached the Top 40 of the Billboard country music singles chart.
Somewhere along the way, Clint Eastwood had heard the song as a demo recording by its writer Leo Ofman. However, Clint Eastwood insisted that Gene Watson should record the song.
Gene Watson flew to Los Angeles, California to record the track ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was co-produced by Gene Watson, Thomas Leslie ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Wednesday 5 July 1939 – Thursday 17 December 2015) and Russ Reeder.
On Monday 17 November 1980, Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records released the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which featured music from David Frizzell & Shelly West, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Gene Watson, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) & Clint Eastwood, Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr. (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Jim Stafford and Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009).
On Friday 12 December 1980, Clint Eastwood’s movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which was directed by Buddy Van Horn, made its cinema debut. The movie included a role for Jim Stafford, who was featured on the soundtrack, alongside Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), Gene Watson, Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr. (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and David Frizzell & Shelly West.
On Tuesday 18 February 2014, Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’ was re-issued, on CD, by Varese-Sarabande Records.
