About the song
“Forever and Ever, Amen” stands as a timeless classic in American country music, penned by songwriters Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and immortalized by Randy Travis in 1987.
Released as the lead single from Travis’s album “Always & Forever,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” quickly ascended to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, marking Travis’s third number-one single. The song’s enduring popularity is underscored by its cross-generational appeal and continued resonance within the country music community.
The genesis of “Forever and Ever, Amen” is rooted in a heartfelt moment between Don Schlitz’s son and wife, where the boy expressed his unwavering love with the phrase “forever and ever, amen” after his nightly prayers. Inspired by this tender sentiment, Schlitz shared the idea with Paul Overstreet, leading to the song’s creation in just a few hours. Their swift collaboration produced a demo that caught the attention of Warner Bros. executive Martha Sharp, who recognized its perfect fit for Randy Travis, given their prior successful collaboration on “On the Other Hand.”
Travis embraced the song immediately, and it became the cornerstone of his album title, reflecting its significance in his career and in the hearts of his fans. Upon its release, “Forever and Ever, Amen” garnered universal acclaim. It topped the country charts for three consecutive weeks, marking a significant achievement in Travis’s career and in country music history.
Critically acclaimed, the song received the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Song at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988. It also earned Song of the Year accolades from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, solidifying its status as a quintessential country ballad.
Decades after its debut, “Forever and Ever, Amen” remains a beloved anthem, recognized by the RIAA with Gold certification and continuing to resonate through digital platforms with over 966,000 downloads. Its enduring legacy was further underscored in 2024 when Rolling Stone ranked it #48 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, affirming its place in the pantheon of country music classics.
Video
https://youtu.be/sgJXbIP83A8
Lyrics
You may think that I’m talkin’ foolish
You’ve heard that I’m wild and I’m free
You may wonder how I can promise you now
This love that I feel for you always will be
But you’re not just time that I’m killin’
I’m no longer one of those guys
As sure as I live, this love that I give
Is gonna be yours until the day that I die
Oh, baby, I’m gonna love you forever
Forever and ever amen
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful
I’ll be happy to tell you again
I’m gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen
They say time takes its toll on a body
Makes the young girls brown hair turn gray
But honey, I don’t care, I ain’t in love with your hair
And if it all fell out, well, I’d love you anyway
They say time can play tricks on a memory
Make people forget things they knew
Well, it’s easy to see, it’s happenin’ to me
I’ve already forgotten every woman but you
Oh, darlin’, I’m gonna love you forever
Forever and ever amen
As long as old men sit and talk about the weather
As long as old women sit and talk about old men
If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful
Well, just listen to how this song ends
I’m gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen
I’m gonna love you forever and ever
Forever and ever, forever and ever
Forever and ever, amen