Randy Travis came out of the starting gate strong in 1986 with his debut album Storms of Life, and he backed up that strong opening with his second studio album Always & Forever.
How do you get your second ever album to the number one spot on the country albums chart? If you asked Randy Travis, he would just say to jam-pack the project with certified number one singles.
Travis’ hit songs “Too Gone, Too Long,” “I Won’t Need You Anymore (Always and Forever),” “I Told You So,” and “Forever and Ever, Amen” were released as singles for Always & Forever, and all of them made it to the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Despite the singles from Travis’ second album performing well, the album’s success was a little bit of a slow burn. Always & Forever was released in May of 1987, and only managed to reach as high as the number seven spot on the year-end charts.
However, the following year in 1988, the album really hit its stride, and reached the top spot on the Billboard US Top Country Albums chart, and even charted at the 46th position on the Billboard Top 200 (all genres).
Like Travis’ debut album, there isn’t really a “skippable” song in Always & Forever, though there are a few that stand out above the rest.
If you like a more slower paced and emotionally focused Randy Travis singing about writing a love song (Love Songception), then this song is probably the one for you.
“I Won’t Need You Anymore”
If you prefer a more upbeat and positive love story, then you’d probably rather press play on “Forever and Ever, Amen.” The official music video for the song actually features Randy Travis walking around and playing at a wedding.
“Forever and Ever, Amen”
And then you’ve got my personal favorite, “Too Gone, Too Long,” which definitely has a distinct sound compared to the other songs on the album. The simple rhythm and lyrics of the song are raised by Travis’ delivery and performance.
“Too Gone, Too Long”
