In 2016, Joey + Rory released their eighth and final studio album called Hymns That Are Important to Us – a dream project for Joey Feek, which consists of twelve covers of religious hymns. Among the gospel songs they recorded, one that stood out the most was their rendition of “He Touched Me.”
The gospel song was written by gospel singer-songwriter Bill Gaither in 1963 and was first recorded by the Christian music group The Imperials. It gained popularity when Elvis Presley recorded it – featuring background vocals by The Imperials – released it as a single in 1971. It also became the title track to Presley’s 1972 Grammy Award-winning album.
Nearly half a century later, the husband and wife country music duo recorded the hymn like it was their own. You can hear the honest, joyful spirit in Joey’s voice as she sang of an encounter with Jesus who transformed one man’s life stained with “guilt and shame” to life “cleansed and made whole.”
“Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched me. And oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know,” the song goes. Meanwhile, Rory provided support harmonies that perfectly complete Joey’s heartfelt tone.
For You
Joey + Rory‘s rendition of “He Touched Me” earned a Country Recorded Song of the Year nomination during the 2016 Dove Awards.
A Dream Project Came True
Hymns That Are Important to Us was Joey + Rory’s first venture into the Christian hymnal. It was recorded at a time when Joey had been suffering from the last stages of terminal cancer. Most of these cuts were recorded in between Joey’s treatments and numerous trips to the hospitals. They even set up a makeshift recording studio in their hotel room.
Without a doubt, Joey has found comfort in “He Touched Me.” Other songs of Joey + Rory found in the album are their covers of “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “It Is Well with My Soul.”
Tune in and listen to Joey + Rory’s rendition of “He Touched Me” by playing the video below.
