Forever and Ever, Amen

For The Drums song, see The Drums (album).

1987 single by Randy Travis

"Forever and Ever, Amen"

Single cover

Single by Randy Travis
from the album  Always & Forever
B-side| "Promises"
Released| March 1987
Recorded| January 1987
Genre| Country
Length| 3:31
Label| Warner Bros. Nashville 28384
Songwriter(s)|

* Paul Overstreet
* Don Schlitz

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]

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

[edit]

"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

[edit]

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[update].[8]

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

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1987)  | Peak
position

|

US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[10] | 1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks  | 1
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks  | 10
UK Singles Chart | 55
Chart (2021)  | Peak
position

|

Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[11] | 29

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1987)  | Position

|

US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 14

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

United States (RIAA)[7] | 2× Platinum  | 966,000[8]

## References

[edit]

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. ^ a b "American single certifications – Randy Travis – Forever and Ever, Amen". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
8. ^ a b 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.

## External links

[edit]

* "Forever And Ever, Amen" on YouTube \- by Ronan Keating

* v
* t
* e

Randy Travis

* Albums
* Singles

Studio albums|

* Storms of Life
* Always & Forever
* Old 8×10
* No Holdin' Back
* Heroes & Friends
* High Lonesome
* Wind in the Wire
* This Is Me
* Full Circle
* You and You Alone
* A Man Ain't Made of Stone
* Inspirational Journey
* Rise and Shine
* Worship & Faith
* Passing Through
* Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise
* Around the Bend
* Anniversary Celebration
* Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am
* Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am

Compilation albums|

* Greatest Hits, Volume One
* Greatest Hits, Volume Two
* The Very Best of Randy Travis
* I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis
* Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis

Holiday albums|

* An Old Time Christmas
* Songs of the Season

Notable singles|

* "On the Other Hand"
* "1982"
* "Diggin' Up Bones"
* "No Place Like Home"
* "Forever and Ever, Amen"
* "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)"
* "Too Gone Too Long"
* "I Told You So"
* "Honky Tonk Moon"
* "Deeper Than the Holler"
* "Is It Still Over?"
* "Promises"
* "It's Just a Matter of Time"
* "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart"
* "He Walked on Water"
* "A Few Ole Country Boys"
* "Heroes and Friends"
* "Point of Light"
* "Forever Together"
* "Better Class of Losers"
* "I'd Surrender All"
* "If I Didn't Have You"
* "Look Heart, No Hands"
* "An Old Pair of Shoes"
* "Cowboy Boogie"
* "Before You Kill Us All"
* "Whisper My Name"
* "This Is Me"
* "The Box"
* "Are We in Trouble Now"
* "Would I"
* "King of the Road"
* "Out of My Bones"
* "The Hole"
* "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man"
* "Stranger in My Mirror"
* "A Man Ain't Made of Stone"
* "Baptism"
* "Three Wooden Crosses"
* "Where That Came From"

Other songs|

* "Voices That Care"
* "Singing the Blues"
* "Somewhere in My Broken Heart"
* "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)"

Related articles|

* Awards and nominations
* Filmography

* v
* t
* e

Ronan Keating

Discography

Studio albums|

* Ronan (2000)
* Destination (2002)
* Turn It On (2003)
* Bring You Home (2006)
* Songs for My Mother (2009)
* Winter Songs (2009)
* Duet (2010)
* When Ronan Met Burt (2011)
* Fires (2012)
* Time of My Life (2016)
* Twenty Twenty (2020)
* Songs from Home (2021)

Compilation albums|

* 10 Years of Hits (2004)

Singles|

* "When You Say Nothing at All"
* "These Days"
* "Life Is a Rollercoaster"
* "The Way You Make Me Feel"
* "In This Life"
* "Lovin' Each Day"
* "If Tomorrow Never Comes"
* "I Love It When We Do"
* "We've Got Tonight"
* "The Long Goodbye"
* "Lost for Words"
* "She Believes (In Me)"
* "Last Thing on My Mind"
* "I Hope You Dance"
* "Father and Son"
* "Baby Can I Hold You"
* "All Over Again"
* "Iris"
* "Time After Time"
* "This Is Your Song"
* "Stay"
* "Fires"
* "Wasted Light"
* "Summer Wonderland"
* "Forever and Ever, Amen"

Related articles|

* Boyzone

* v
* t
* e

Shania Twain

* Discography
* Videography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Shania Twain
* The Woman in Me
* Come On Over
* Up!
* Now
* Queen of Me

Live albums|

* Still the One: Live from Vegas

Compilation albums|

* The Complete Limelight Sessions
* Greatest Hits
* Not Just a Girl (The Highlights)

Video albums|

* Shania Twain Live
* The Platinum Collection
* The Specials
* Up! Live in Chicago
* Up! Close and Personal
* Still the One: Live from Vegas

Concerts and residencies|

* Come On Over Tour
* Super Bowl XXXVII halftime show
* Up! Tour
* Shania: Still the One
* Rock This Country Tour
* Now Tour
* Let's Go!
* Queen of Me Tour
* Come On Over - All The Hits

Television|

* Why Not? with Shania Twain

Film|

* Trading Paint
* I Still Believe

Related articles|

* Shania: A Life in Eight Albums
* Shania Twain Centre
* Mutt Lange

* Category

Awards for "Forever and Ever, Amen"

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Favorite Country Song

1970s|

* "Behind Closed Doors" – Charlie Rich (1974)
* "The Most Beautiful Girl" – Charlie Rich (1975)
* "Rhinestone Cowboy" – Glen Campbell (1976)
* "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" – Willie Nelson (1977)
* "Lucille" – Kenny Rogers (1978)
* "Blue Bayou" – Linda Ronstadt (1979)

1980s|

* "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed" – Barbara Mandrell (1980)
* "Coward of the County" – Kenny Rogers (1981)
* "Could I Have This Dance" – Anne Murray / "On the Road Again" – Willie Nelson (1982)
* "Love Will Turn You Around" – Kenny Rogers (1983)
* "Islands in the Stream" – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (1984)
* "Islands in the Stream" – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (1985)
* "Forgiving You Was Easy" – Willie Nelson (1986)
* "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" – The Judds (1987)
* "Forever and Ever, Amen" – Randy Travis (1988)
* "I Told You So" – Randy Travis (1989)

1990s|

* "Deeper Than the Holler" – Randy Travis (1990)
* "If Tomorrow Never Comes" – Garth Brooks (1991)
* "The Thunder Rolls" – Garth Brooks (1992)
* "Achy Breaky Heart" – Billy Ray Cyrus (1993)
* "Chattahoochee" – Alan Jackson (1994)
* "Whenever You Come Around" – Vince Gill (1995)

2010s|

* "Humble and Kind" – Tim McGraw (2016)
* "Blue Ain't Your Color" – Keith Urban (2017)
* "Heaven" – Kane Brown (2018)
* "Speechless" – Dan + Shay (2019)

2020s|

* "10,000 Hours" – Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber (2020)
* "The Good Ones" – Gabby Barrett (2021)
* "Wasted on You" – Morgan Wallen (2022)
* "I Had Some Help" – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen (2025)

Between 1996–2015, the category was retired.

* v
* t
* e

CMA Single of the Year

1967−1970|

* "There Goes My Everything" (1967)
* "Harper Valley PTA" (1968)
* "A Boy Named Sue" (1969)
* "Okie from Muskogee" (1970)

1971−1980|

* "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (1971)
* "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A." (1972)
* "Behind Closed Doors" (1973)
* "Country Bumpkin" (1974)
* "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (1975)
* "Good Hearted Woman" (1976)
* "Lucille" (1977)
* "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" (1978)
* "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (1979)
* "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (1980)

1981−1990|

* "Elvira" (1981)
* "Always on My Mind" (1982)
* "Swingin'" (1983)
* "A Little Good News" (1984)
* "Why Not Me" (1985)
* "Bop" (1986)
* "Forever and Ever, Amen" (1987)
* "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" (1988)
* "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" (1989)
* "When I Call Your Name" (1990)

1991−2000|

* "Friends in Low Places" (1991)
* "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992)
* "Chattahoochee" (1993)
* "I Swear" (1994)
* "When You Say Nothing at All" (1995)
* "Check Yes or No" (1996)
* "Strawberry Wine" (1997)
* "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" (1998)
* "Wide Open Spaces" (1999)
* "I Hope You Dance" (2000)

2001−2010|

* "I am a Man Of Constant Sorrow" (2001)
* "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" (2002)
* "Hurt" (2003)
* "Live Like You Were Dying" (2004)
* "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" (2005)
* "Believe" (2006)
* "Before He Cheats" (2007)
* "I Saw God Today" (2008)
* "I Run to You" (2009)
* "Need You Now" (2010)

2011−2020|

* "If I Die Young" (2011)
* "Pontoon" (2012)
* "Cruise" (2013)
* "Automatic" (2014)
* "Girl Crush" (2015)
* "Die a Happy Man" (2016)
* "Blue Ain't Your Color" (2017)
* "Broken Halos" (2018)
* "God's Country" (2019)
* "The Bones" (2020)

2021−2030|

* "Starting Over" (2021)
* "'Til You Can't" (2022)
* "Fast Car" (2023)
* "White Horse" (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Country Song

Awarded to songwriters

1960s|

* "Dang Me" – Roger Miller (1965)
* "King of the Road" – Roger Miller (1966)
* "Almost Persuaded" – Billy Sherrill & Glenn Sutton (1967)
* "Gentle on My Mind" – John Hartford (1968)
* "Little Green Apples" – Bobby Russell (1969)

1970s|

* "A Boy Named Sue" – Shel Silverstein (1970)
* "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife" – Marty Robbins (1971)
* "Help Me Make It Through the Night" – Kris Kristofferson (1972)
* "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" – Ben Peters (1973)
* "Behind Closed Doors" – Kenny O'Dell (1974)
* "A Very Special Love Song" – Norro Wilson & Billy Sherrill (1975)
* "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" – Chips Moman & Larry Butler (1976)
* "Broken Lady" – Larry Gatlin (1977)
* "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" – Richard Leigh (1978)
* "The Gambler" – Don Schlitz (1979)

1980s|

* "You Decorated My Life" – Debbie Hupp & Bob Morrison (1980)
* "On the Road Again" – Willie Nelson (1981)
* "9 to 5" – Dolly Parton (1982)
* "Always on My Mind" – Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher & Mark James (1983)
* "Stranger in My House" – Mike Reid (1984)
* "City of New Orleans" – Steve Goodman (1985)
* "Highwayman" – Jimmy Webb (1986)
* "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" – Jamie O'Hara (1987)
* "Forever and Ever, Amen" – Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz (1988)
* "Hold Me" – K. T. Oslin (1989)

1990s|

* "After All This Time" – Rodney Crowell (1980)
* "Where've You Been" – Don Henry & Jon Vezner (1991)
* "Love Can Build a Bridge" – John Barlow Jarvis, Naomi Judd & Paul Overstreet (1992)
* "I Still Believe in You" – Vince Gill & John Barlow Jarvis (1993)
* "Passionate Kisses" – Lucinda Williams (1994)
* "I Swear" – Gary Baker & Frank J. Myers (1995)
* "Go Rest High on That Mountain" – Vince Gill (1996)
* "Blue" – Bill Mack (1997)
* "Butterfly Kisses" – Bob Carlisle & Randy Thomas (1998)
* "You're Still the One" – Robert John "Mutt" Lange & Shania Twain (1999)

2000s|

* "Come On Over" – Robert John "Mutt" Lange & Shania Twain (2000)
* "I Hope You Dance" – Mark D. Sanders & Tia Sillers (2001)
* "The Lucky One" – Robert Lee Castleman (2002)
* "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" – Alan Jackson (2003)
* "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" – Jim "Moose" Brown & Don Rollins (2004)
* "Live Like You Were Dying" – Tim Nichols & Craig Wiseman (2005)
* "Bless the Broken Road" – Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna, & Marcus Hummon (2006)
* "Jesus, Take the Wheel" – Hillary Lindsey, Brett James & Gordie Sampson (2007)
* "Before He Cheats" – Chris Tompkins & Josh Kear (2008)
* "Stay" – Jennifer Nettles (2009)

2010s|

* "White Horse" – Liz Rose & Taylor Swift (2010)
* "Need You Now" – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott (2011)
* "Mean" – Taylor Swift (2012)
* "Blown Away" – Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins (2013)
* "Merry Go 'Round" – Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne (2014)
* "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" – Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond (2015)
* "Girl Crush" – Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, & Liz Rose (2016)
* "Humble and Kind" – Lori McKenna (2017)
* "Broken Halos" – Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton (2018)
* "Space Cowboy" – Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, & Kacey Musgraves (2019)

2020s|

* "Bring My Flowers Now" – Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, & Tanya Tucker (2020)
* "Crowded Table" – Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna (2021)
* "Cold" – Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton (2022)
* "'Til You Can't" – Matt Rogers & Ben Stennis (2023)
* "White Horse" – Chris Stapleton & Dan Wilson (2024)
* "The Architect" – Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne (2025)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

This 1987 country song-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template