On 13 August 1988, Keith Whitley reached the top of the US country chart for the first time with “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. Although it spent only one week at No. 1, Billboard later named it the year’s leading country song, confirming the success of Whitley’s change of producer for his second album.

Whitley had rejected recordings made with Blake Mevis and instead worked with Garth Fundis after receiving the Bob McDill-written ballad. The resulting album went platinum, peaked at No. 8 on the country chart and produced three No. 1 singles. McDill said the song’s central plea was inspired by a line in the 1978 romantic comedy California Suite, though its lyrics concern a partner still thinking about a former lover.