Released as the lead single from the album, "The Valley Road" reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1988, peaking at number 5 the week of July 2.

The single lodged three weeks at the summit on the Billboard mainstream rock chart, becoming the first of the group's two chart-toppers on that list.

[3] Hornsby was quoted in an interview with the Chicago Tribune saying that the song was inspired by observations he made growing up in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Every year, some rich girl would get involved with some country guy, and they would act irresponsibly and have to deal with the ramifications.

This version of the song was more in the country-bluegrass style of recording, inspired by Leon Russell and his collaborations with the New Grass Revival.