Forever and Ever, Amen

Last updated
"Forever and Ever, Amen"
Randy Travis forever and ever.jpg
Single cover
Single by Randy Travis
from the album Always & Forever
B-side "Promises"
ReleasedMarch 1987
RecordedJanuary 1987
Genre Country
Length3:31
Label Warner Bros. Nashville 28384
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Kyle Lehning
Randy Travis singles chronology
"No Place Like Home"
(1987)
"Forever and Ever, Amen"
(1987)
"I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)"
(1987)
Official video
"Forever and Ever, Amen" on YouTube

"Forever and Ever, Amen" is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released in March 1987 as the first single from the album Always & Forever and became Travis's third No. 1 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles charts. [1]

Contents

Since 2017, Travis, whose singing has been severely limited since a 2013 stroke, has on several occasions contributed the final "Amen" to live performances by other artists when he is in attendance. [2] [3]

In August 2020, Josh Turner recorded a cover version of "Forever and Ever, Amen" featuring Travis on his album Country State of Mind. This was Travis' first recording since his stroke.

In February 2021, Ronan Keating and Shania Twain released a version as the fifth and final single from Keating's eleventh studio album, Twenty Twenty . [4] [5]

Background

"Forever and Ever, Amen" was penned by songwriters Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, both Nashville luminaries with a long pedigree of domestic country hits, including songs by Alabama, Keith Whitley, Kenny Rogers, and the Judds in the 1980s. The idea for the song's title stemmed from Schlitz's son, who, after saying his nightly prayers, would often remark to his mother, "Mommy, I love you forever and ever, amen." Schlitz relayed the sentimental message to Overstreet, and the two wrote the song in a couple of hours. They recorded the demo version of the song the next day, and pitched it to Warner Bros. executive Martha Sharp. Sharp suggested the material would be best for Travis, for whom Overstreet had previously written "On the Other Hand".

Travis was fond of the song immediately, and abridged its message for the title of his second album, Always and Forever.

Critical reception

The single was first released in March 1987. It debuted on Billboard's country charts on April 25, 1987. The song peaked at number one for three weeks on June 13, 1987, the first single to do so on the country charts since Johnny Lee's "Lookin' for Love" seven years prior.

"Forever and Ever, Amen" was heavily lauded in the country community, as well as on a mainstream level. It won a Grammy for Best Country & Western Song at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988. It also claimed Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music [6] and the Country Music Association. Nearly three decades past its release, it was certified Gold by the RIAA, [7] making it Travis' first solo single to earn an RIAA certification. Its digital sales were estimated at over 966,000 downloads as of 2016. [8]

In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #48 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking. [9]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [7] 2× Platinum966,000 [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shania Twain</span> Canadian singer (born 1965)

Eilleen Regina "Shania" Twain is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the best-selling female artist in country music history. Her success garnered her several titles, including the "Queen of Country Pop". Billboard named her as the leader of the '90s country-pop crossover stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Travis</span> American country and gospel singer

Randy Bruce Traywick, known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country music and gospel music singer and songwriter, as well as a film and television actor. Active since 1979, he has recorded over 20 studio albums and charted over 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including sixteen that reached the number-one position.

<i>Up!</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Shania Twain

Up! is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer Shania Twain. It was released on November 19, 2002, by Mercury Nashville. Three versions of the album were released: a pop version, a country version, and a version in the style of Indian film music. The album was heavily hyped by the media due to it being Twain's follow-up to her high-selling 1997 studio album Come On Over.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1987.

Paul Lester Overstreet is an American country music singer and songwriter. He began his singing career in 1982 with a self-titled album on RCA Records Nashville. From 1986 to 1987, he was a vocalist in the trio S-K-O, in which he had a number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with "Baby's Got a New Baby". After leaving S-K-O he resumed a solo career, charting a second number-one single alongside Paul Davis and Tanya Tucker on "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love". Between 1989 and 1992, he released the albums Sowin' Love, Heroes, and Love Is Strong. These albums include the number-one single "Daddy's Come Around" and nine other top-40 entries on the country music charts. Subsequent albums have been released independently on the Scarlet Moon label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever and for Always</span> 2003 single by Shania Twain

"Forever and for Always" is a song by Canadian country music singer Shania Twain. The song was released as the fourth single from her fourth studio album Up! (2002), on April 7, 2003; it was also the third to be sent to country radio. The song was written by her then-husband Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Twain. The song is about two people who fall in love as children and are still with each other even as they grow older. "Forever and for Always" was certified gold for 500,000 digital downloads by the RIAA in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shania Twain discography</span>

Canadian singer Shania Twain has released six studio albums, three compilation albums, three remix albums, one box set, two live albums, 45 singles, 38 music videos, six promotional singles, and made six guest appearances. Twain's repertoire has sold over 34 million albums in the United States alone, placing her as the top-selling female artist in country music. Moreover, with 48 million copies shipped, she is ranked as the 26th best-selling artist overall in the US, tying with Kenny G for the spot. She is also recognized as one of the best-selling music artists in history, selling over 100 million records worldwide and thus becoming the top-selling female artist in country music ever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Up! (Shania Twain song)</span> 2003 single by Shania Twain

"Up!" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music singer Shania Twain. It was released as the second official single from her 2002 album of the same name. The song was written by Twain and her then-husband, Robert John "Mutt" Lange. "Up!" was originally released to North American country radio on January 6, 2003. It was later released as a double A-side single with "When You Kiss Me" to exclusively the UK on November 17, 2003, and issued as the sixth and final single in Europe on March 8, 2004. At the 2004 Juno Awards, "Up!" was named Country Recording of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party for Two</span> 2004 single by Shania Twain

"Party for Two" is a song recorded by Canadian country singer-songwriter Shania Twain. It was released as the lead single from her first Greatest Hits compilation on September 7, 2004. The song was produced by Twain's then-husband Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and co-written by Twain and Lange. "Party for Two" was recorded as both a pop song with pop rock band Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath, and a country version with country musician Billy Currington. The country version with Currington was released to country radio, while the pop mix with McGrath was released to pop audiences.

<i>Always & Forever</i> (Randy Travis album) 1987 studio album by Randy Travis

Always & Forever is the second studio album by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released on May 4, 1987, by Warner Bros. Records. Released from this album were the singles "Too Gone Too Long", "I Won't Need You Anymore ", "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "I Told You So", all of which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronan Keating discography</span>

Irish pop singer Ronan Keating has released twelve studio albums, one compilation album and thirty-two singles. His solo career started in 1999 and has spawned nine albums. He gained worldwide attention when his single "When You Say Nothing at All" was featured in the film Notting Hill and peaked at number one in several countries. As a solo artist, he has sold over 20 million records worldwide alongside the 25 million records with Boyzone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When You Say Nothing at All</span> 1988 single by Keith Whitley

"When You Say Nothing at All" is a country song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. It was a hit song for four different performers: Keith Whitley, who took it to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on December 24, 1988; Alison Krauss & Union Station, whose version was their first solo top-10 country hit in 1995; Irish singer Frances Black, whose 1996 version became her third Irish top-10 single and brought the song to the attention of Irish pop singer Ronan Keating, whose 1999 version was his first solo single and a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<i>Carnival Ride</i> 2007 studio album by Carrie Underwood

Carnival Ride is the second studio album by American country music artist Carrie Underwood. It was released in the United States on October 23, 2007, by Arista Nashville. On this album, Underwood was more involved in the songwriting process; she set up a writers' retreat at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium to collaborate with Music Row tunesmiths such as Hillary Lindsey, Craig Wiseman, Rivers Rutherford, and Gordie Sampson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Told You So (Randy Travis song)</span> 1988 song by Randy Travis

"I Told You So" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis from his 1987 album, Always & Forever. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard and Canadian RPM country singles charts in June 1988. Travis had first recorded it on his 1983 album Live at the Nashville Palace under his stage name "Randy Ray". It became a local hit and one of his most requested songs at the club. In 2007, the song was covered by Carrie Underwood on her album Carnival Ride. Her version was released in February 2009 and was re-recorded and re-released in March as a duet with Travis. Underwood's and Travis' duet peaked at number two on the U.S. country charts in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Schlitz</span> American country singer-songwriter

Donald Allen Schlitz Jr. is an American songwriter who has written more than a score of number one hits on the country music charts. He is best known for his song "The Gambler", and as the co-writer of "Forever and Ever, Amen", and "When You Say Nothing at All". For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammy Awards, and four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deeper Than the Holler</span> 1988 single by Randy Travis

"Deeper Than the Holler" is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in November 1988 as the second single from the album, Old 8x10. The song was his eighth Number One single, and his sixth consecutive.

<i>I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis</i> 2009 greatest hits album by Randy Travis

I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis is a compilation album released by country music artist Randy Travis in 2009. It consists of 32 songs overall in a two disc set. Two of the songs were never before released on albums. Travis' numerous number-one hits including "I Told You So", Deeper Than the Holler", "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "Three Wooden Crosses" are included on the album along with duets with country legends Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Travis' cover of Roger Miller's "King of the Road" is also included along with two tracks from his previous studio album Around the Bend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Other Hand</span> 1985 song by Randy Travis

"On the Other Hand" is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was first released as a single in July 1985, peaking at number 67 in the United States. It was Travis' first single with Warner Bros. Nashville and was only a minor hit. After the chart successes of Travis' next single, "1982", the label reissued "On the Other Hand" in April 1986, and it became his first number one hit in both the United States and Canada. "On the Other Hand" and "1982" were both included on Travis' 1986 debut album, Storms of Life.

"Promises" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was originally released in March 1987 as the B-side of "Forever and Ever, Amen." It was released as the A-side in May 1989 as the fourth and final single from his album, Old 8x10, peaking at number 17 in the United States and number 12 in Canada. The song was written by Travis and John Lindley.

<i>Twenty Twenty</i> (Ronan Keating album) 2020 studio album by Ronan Keating

Twenty Twenty is the eleventh studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating. It was released on 24 July 2020 through Decca Records, after postponement from its announced release on 1 May.

References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 351.
  2. Kruh, Nancy (June 10, 2017). "Without Words, Randy Travis Makes Fans' Dreams Come True". People Country. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  3. Hermanson, Wendy (May 5, 2019). "Randy Travis Celebrates 60th Birthday at Grand Ole Opry". Tasteofcountry.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  4. "Forever and Ever, Amen by Ronan Keating and Shania Twain". Apple Music. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  5. Sexton, Paul (February 12, 2021). "Ronan Keating Releases "Forever And Ever, Amen" with Shania Twain". udiscovermusic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  6. "ACMs - Previous Winners - Song of the Year". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
  7. 1 2 "American single certifications – Randy Travis – Forever and Ever, Amen". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Bjorke, Matt (November 8, 2016). "Top 30 Digital Singles Sales Report: November 8, 2016". Roughstock.
  9. "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . May 24, 2014.
  10. "Randy Travis Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  11. "Randy Travis Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  12. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1987". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.