The Top 10+ Randy Travis Songs

With over 50 charted singles and 16 number ones to his name, Randy Travis has long had a place in the history books of country music. The legendary singer is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and he has won seven Grammy Awards, six CMA Awards, 11 ACM Awards and many other honors. Travis still makes appearances at country music shows and events to this day, and he will forever be a much-loved member of the country music community. Here are 10+ of the best Randy Travis songs. 

(Arranged chronologically)

1. “On The Other Hand” — from Storms of Life 

The first single Randy Travis released upon being signed to Warner Bros. Nashville was “On The Other Hand,” a mid tempo tune about the commitment of a man to his wife. When the song was initially released in 1985, it didn’t see much success, peaking at No. 67 on the charts. However, after the success of his next single, “1982,” the song was given a rare second chance and became his first-ever No. 1 hit. 

2. “Diggin’ Up Bones” — from Storms of Life 

After “1982” and “On The Other Hand,” Travis continued the success of his debut album Storms of Life with the ever-classic, “Diggin’ Up Bones.” In this song, Travis sings from the perspective of a broken-hearted man who is rummaging through the artifacts of his failed marriage. This song showcases Travis’ smooth voice and ultra-country style, and it became yet another hit for the singer. 

3. “Forever and Ever, Amen” — from Always & Forever 

Travis began to undeniably hit his stride in the late ‘80s, releasing one of his most recognizable hits (to date) with “Forever and Ever, Amen” in 1987. This single, the lead from his Always & Forever album, is a heartwarming, bluegrass-flavored ode to everlasting love. In the song, Travis sings to a partner, assuring her that he’ll love her forever, and he uses sweet anecdotes to prove this point. “As long as old men sit and talk about the weather / as long as old women sit and talk about old men,” he sings in the chorus. This song has been covered many times throughout the years and it is still hailed as one of Travis’ best songs. Unsurprisingly, the tune became his third No. 1. 

4. “I Told You So” — from Always & Forever 

Travis wrapped up his sophomore Always & Forever album with the poignant, “I Told You So.” In this tune, Travis sings from the perspective of a man who is in the depths of despair following the end of a relationship. As the song goes on, it’s clear that Travis hopes to reconcile with his ex-love, but she has unfortunately moved on. Carrie Underwood recorded her own striking version of the song in 2007, and in 2009, the two came together to record a duet version. This version won Underwood and Travis and Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 2010. 

5. “Honky Tonk Moon” — from Old 8×10

After the success of his sixth No. 1, “I Told You So,” Travis followed it up and began a new album era with “Honky Tonk Moon.” In this easygoing tune, Travis romanticizes the classic country honky tonk, describing it as a place to forget your troubles and simply enjoy life. The song features a swinging country rhythm with old-time guitar and harmonica instrumentation. Although it features a somewhat simple premise, this song gave Travis another No. 1 in 1988. 

6. “Deeper Than The Holler” — from Old 8×10 

Travis continued his stream of hits with his second single from Old 8×10, “Deeper Than the Holler.” In this song, Travis again sings about the strength of his love for a partner, using metaphors related to the outdoors. “My love is deeper than the holler, stronger than the river, higher than the pine trees growing tall upon the hill,” he sings in the chorus. The tune’s sweet lyrics are aided by traditional country instrumentation with pedal steel and acoustic elements. “Deeper Than the Holler” became Travis’ eighth No. 1 and his sixth consecutive hit. 

7. “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” — from No Holdin’ Back 

Travis ushered in the start of the 1990s with an upbeat breakup tune, “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” from his No Holdin’ Back album. In this tune, Travis pleads for an ex-lover to take him back after the end of the relationship, but he gets an icy reception, singing that she treats him like “a stone you have picked up and thrown to the hard rock bottom of your heart.” Although the character portrayed by Travis is clearly downtrodden, the music stays mostly upbeat with bouncy instrumentation. This song became Travis’ first No. 1 hit of the new decade. 

8. “Better Class of Losers” — from High Lonesome 

In his 1991 single “Better Class of Losers,” Travis takes a break from love and heartbreak songs and instead solidifies his love for the country lifestyle. In the tune, Travis sings of his distaste for upscale city life, so he ditches that lifestyle for a better class of losers — country people who “buy their coffee beans already ground.” This fun tune was another success for Travis, this time from his High Lonesome album. “Better Class of Losers” peaked at No. 1 in February 1992. 

9. “Look Heart, No Hands” — from Greatest Hits, Volume Two 

In 1992, Travis took stock of the past seven years of hit songs with the release of his Greatest Hits, Volume Two album. The album featured many of his hits as well as a few new tracks, one of which being “Look Heart, No Hands.” In this tune, Travis reminisces on being a child flying down a street on his bike with no hands on the handlebars. He then compares this free-flying feeling to falling in love, singing that he feels just as free with his partner. With its pleasant country instrumentation and sweet lyrics, this tune became yet another No. 1 hit for Travis. 

10. “Three Wooden Crosses” — from Rise and Shine 

Randy Travis has long been known to be open about this Christian faith, and he’s no stranger to releasing gospel and faith-based tunes. In his unforgettable 2002 song, “Three Wooden Crosses,” Travis tells the story of a passenger bus that held four people from four different backgrounds. The characters included a farmer, a teacher, a hooker, and a preacher. When the bus is involved in a fatal crash, the farmer, the teacher and the preacher unfortunately pass away, but before the preacher passes, he entrusts the hooker with his “blood-stained bible.” This bible then leads to the hooker’s redemption, and she questions why she was the only one spared in the crash. The emotional, redemptive song has become a classic in Travis’ discography and it’s a song that will continue to live on for years to come. “Three Wooden Crosses” landed at No. 1 in May 2003.