On the Other Hand
Keith Whitley
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On one hand I count the reasons I could stay with you And hold you close to me, all night long There are so many loving things I would love to say to you And on that hand I see no reason why it's wrong But on the other hand, there's a golden band To remind of someone who couldn't understand On one hand I could stay and be your lover man But the reason I must go is on the other hand In your arms I feel the passion, I thought had died When I looked into your eyes I found myself When I first kissed your lips I felt so alive I've got to hand it to you girl, you're something else But on the other hand, there's a golden band To remind of someone who couldn't understand On one hand I could stay and be your lover man But the reason I must go is on the other hand Yes, the reason I must go is on the other hand
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Written by: DON SCHLITZ, PAUL OVERSTREET
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Origin"On the Other Hand" is a country music song that was first recorded by American singer Keith Whitley in 1985, and later made popular by Randy Travis.
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SongwritersThe song was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, two prominent songwriters in Nashville who have penned numerous country music hits.
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Chart PerformanceWhen Randy Travis released his version in 1986, it became his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
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Song InterpretationThe song depicts a man torn between the temptation of infidelity and the commitment to his marriage, symbolized by the two alternatives represented by each hand.
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Initial ResponseIntriguingly, when Randy Travis initially released the song in 1985, it didn't become a hit. It was only after the success of his other single, "1982," that "On the Other Hand" was re-released and gained popularity.
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Acclaim and Recognition"On the Other Hand" was named Single of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1986, and Randy Travis earned a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the song.
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Album FeatureThe song is included in Randy Travis' debut studio album, "Storms of Life," which was a critical and commercial success.
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Keith Whitley's VersionKeith Whitley's version of the song was never released as a single, but it is featured on his posthumous album, "Kentucky Bluebird."
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Song Impact"On the Other Hand" is often considered a turning point in country music, helping to usher in a traditionalist movement that drew back from the pop-oriented sound that was prevalent in the mid-1980s.
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Cover VersionsMultiple artists apart from Keith Whitley and Randy Travis have covered "On the Other Hand," including George Jones on his 1985 album "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes." This highlights the song’s popularity and influence.
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Remarkable AchievementIn 1998, BMI announced that the song had accumulated one million performances on U.S. radio – a significant achievement.
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Citation
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"On the Other Hand Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24586390/Keith+Whitley/On+the+Other+Hand>.
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