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On the Other Hand

"On the Other Hand" is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was first released as a single in July 1985, peaking at number 67 in the United States. It was Travis' first single with Warner Bros. Nashville and was only a minor hit. After the chart successes of Travis' next single, "1982", the label reissued "On the Other Hand" in April 1986, and it became his first number one hit in both the United States and Canada. "On the Other Hand" and "1982" were both included on Travis' 1986 debut album, Storms of Life.

For the Michel Camilo album, see On the Other Hand (album).

"On the Other Hand"

"Can't Stop Now" (1985)
"1982" (1986)

July 29, 1985 (original release)
April 21, 1986 (reissue)

January 30, 1985[1]

3:05

History[edit]

Writer Paul Overstreet came up with the idea for the song during a session with Don Schlitz. The two were having difficulty with a song they were working on titled "Greedy Heart" when Schlitz presented a list of ideas to Overstreet. One of the ideas on the list was the phrase "on the other hand", to which Overstreet immediately added "there's a golden band." The two writers finished the song and sent a demo to Pat Higdon, a song promoter who recommended it to producer Kyle Lehning with the intention of having Dan Seals recorded it. Lehning did not think the song was suitable for Seals and instead offered it to Randy Travis, who had just signed his first contract with Warner Records Nashville in early 1985.[2]


Travis recorded the song with Lehning and Keith Stegall co-producing, as part of a four-song session which comprised his initial Warner contract. The other songs in this session were "Carrying Fire", "Reasons I Cheat", and "Prairie Rose".[3] He performed the song live for the first time on the August 6, 1985 episode of the talk show Nashville Now.[4] Keith Whitley also cut the song on his 1985 album L.A. to Miami.[5]

Composition[edit]

The song is composed in the key of F major with an "easy country swing" tempo. The verses follow the chord pattern F-F7-BF-C-F-F7-B-G-C, with a pattern of B-F-C7-F twice on the chorus.[6] Lyrically, it is about a man who is tempted to commit infidelity, but ultimately declines upon looking at his wedding ring.[7]

(1990). Randy Travis: The King of the New Country Traditionalists. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-04412-7.

Cusic, Don