In 2013, a stroke robbed Randy Travis’ voice that besides a few short, spot performances, no one has heard him sing since. Even so, fast forward to eight years later, Randy Travis songs remain as legendary as the man that he is.
Travis is notable for thematic albums that paid homage to his country heroes and saluted cowboy music. Of course, there’s also his collection of classic hymns and gospels that will always be popular and celebrated.
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With that said, let’s take a look back at some of Randy Travis‘ greatest hits.
1. “Three Wooden Crosses”
Out of the many hit songs Travis has released, none have touched more people than “Three Wooden Crosses.” In fact, it became the first Christian label to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and was the Country Music Association Song of the Year in 2003.
2. “Forever and Ever, Amen”
It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with this country classic’s easy melody and romantic lyrics. It was a smashing success when “Forever and Ever, Amen” was released as the lead single off Travis’ album Always & Forever – reaching the top spot of both country charts in the United States and Canada.
3. “Diggin’ Up Bones”
The classic country song about grief, misery, and memories sticking around longer than you want them spoke so deeply with country fans – the lyrics are just so real and relatable. So, it was no longer a surprise when “Diggin’ Up Bones” went right through the top of the charts.
4. “Amazing Grace”
Travis’ version of this Christian classic is nothing less than breathtaking. His fascinating voice and soothing demeanor create even more emotion in a song “Amazing Grace” that delivers a message of forgiveness and redemption. It was originally published in 1779 by English poet and clergyman John Newton.
5. “On the Other Hand”
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Travis scored his first No. 1 hit with a song penned by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. It tells the tale of a man who is wearing a wedding band on one hand while facing temptation from another woman.
6. “I Told You So”
Written by Travis himself, the song depicts a man wondering how his then-lover would respond if he would tell her he wanted to return home – would she tell him she loves him too, or would she just say, “I told you so” as she has already found somebody new.
In 2009, the song came back to the mainstream when Travis recorded it as a duet with Carrie Underwood.
For You
7. “Better Class of Losers”
Travis finds himself married to a woman from “high society.” Throughout their relationship, he has grown to hate her friends as well as the high-class lifestyle she lives. He has revealed his plan to be with people living a much simpler lifestyle.
8. “Deeper Than the Holler”
Another song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, “Deeper Than the Holler,” talks about how most love country songs tackle things that could fail in the end – and Travis put an everlasting narrative for the love he feels for this woman.
9. “Tonight I’m Playin’ Possum”
Travis paid tribute to the man he believes to be “one of the greatest singers that ever lived” – none other than country legend George Jones. Country singer Joe Nichols joined Travis on this powerful traditional country song which is about how a real fan would react to Jones’ death.
10. “You Didn’t Have a Good Time”
Travis said this is one of the songs he could absolutely relate to, and he called it “an anti-drinking song.” It hits home as the country singer struggled with substance abuse during his teens.
11. “Look Heart, No Hands”
Travis scored a massive hit with this country ballad that compares the feeling of falling in love to riding a bicycle downhill, paying no mind to the passing cars.
12. “If I Didn’t Have You”
“If I Didn’t Have You” is the lead-off single from Travis’ Greatest Hits, Volume One compilation album, and was another No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
13. “A Few Ole Country Boys”
Travis joined forces with George Jones in this country hit – and it is as good as it gets.
14. “1982”
The man in this song looks back on a time before he lost the woman he loves. Originally, the song’s lyric referred to the year 1962; however, Travis asked to change it as he would have only been just three years old at the time.
15. “Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man”
Released as the third single from his 1998 CD, You and You Alone, the song narrates a young man’s decisions that he has to make in order to grow into a man with integrity and good character.
Some More Award-Winning Randy Travis Songs
Travis grew to be one of country music’s outstanding sales phenomena. He has introduced classic songs through the years. Here are some more of them.
While the country superstar continues to recover – with his speech and mobility slowly improving – these Randy Travis songs are a great reminder of how remarkable of an artist he is.
