Randy Travis is one of the most beloved artists of the late ‘80s and ‘90s. With a golden voice and a stack of hit songs, Travis helped to spearhead the neotraditional movement that shaped the sound of an era. Unfortunately, Travis suffered a massive stroke in 2013 that nearly took his life. While he survived, he came away from the ordeal with aphasia which robbed him of his ability to speak and sing. On the other hand, he left behind an immortal legacy and a collection of timeless songs.
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Travis’ discography is packed with timeless love songs. “Forever and Ever, Amen” is one of the strongest and sweetest among them. The titular line I’m gonna love you forever and ever amen is an indisputably powerful statement. It denotes an almost religious devotion to the person at which the song is aimed. Watch Travis deliver the heartfelt song during an unplugged session at CMT’s Studio 330 below.
Randy Travis Strikes Platinum with “Forever and Ever, Amen”
Randy Travis released “Forever and Ever, Amen” as the lead single from his sophomore album Always & Forever in March 1987. It went to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart where it stayed for three weeks. More than that, it dominated the country radio waves in the late ‘80s throughout the ‘90s. Today, it remains among the best-loved of Travis’ work. As a result, it was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA.
Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz co-wrote “Forever and Ever, Amen.” They were the same songwriting team behind Travis’ first No. 1 single “On the Other Hand.” Additionally, Overstreet co-penned “Deeper Than the Holler” and “Diggin’ Up Bones.”
“I had played about 36 holes of golf that day, and Don says, ‘I’ve got this idea we have to write,’” Overstreet told Songfacts about the genesis of the song. “His new fiancée’s little boy was learning the Lord’s Prayer, and he was going around saying ‘forever and ever, amen’ after everything. He would say, ‘Mommy, I love you forever and ever, amen.’ So, Don said, ‘We’ve got to write this.’ I said, ‘How about tomorrow?’ He said, ‘No. Now,’” Overstreet recalled.
They wrote the song later that night on Overstreet’s front porch. They immediately knew they had a hit on their hands. So, they recorded a demo of the song the next day and sent it to Travis. The rest, as they say, is history.
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