The album's title is derived from Anderson's No. 1 hit single late that year, "How Can I Unlove You". Written by Joe South (who had previously written her 1970 No. 1 country and pop hit, "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden"), the song also reached No. 63 on the pop music chart and No. 30 on the adult contemporary chart, and was Anderson's third No. 1 hit. This album includes covers of such songs as John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and Freddie Hart's "Easy Loving". The album also includes a remake of Anderson's mother Liz's 1970 minor hit, "All Day Sucker".
How Can I Unlove You reached the No. 2 position on the Top Country Albums chart as well as reaching No. 132 on the Billboard Top LPs chart — one of the most successful albums Anderson released during her career.