About the song
“Deeper Than the Holler” is a heartfelt country ballad composed by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, immortalized by the soulful vocals of American country singer Randy Travis. Released in November 1988 as the second single from Travis’ album “Old 8×10,” this song marked his eighth number-one hit and continued his streak of six consecutive chart-topping singles.
The song’s narrative unfolds as a medium-tempo ballad where the storyteller poetically describes his profound love for his woman. It begins with a reflection on hearing others sing about their loves and uses metaphorical language to convey this sentiment. The protagonist then chooses to express his own emotions through song, encapsulating the depth of his feelings for his beloved.
In the second verse, the narrator muses about the countless love songs that people enjoy singing, contrasting them with the genuine, heartfelt love he feels. This contrast emphasizes the authenticity and depth of the narrator’s emotions, reinforcing the song’s central theme of a love that surpasses superficial sentiment.
“Deeper Than the Holler” enjoyed notable success on the charts, debuting at number 42 on the Hot Country Songs chart on November 19, 1988. It swiftly climbed to number 28 the following week, ultimately charting for 18 weeks and securing Travis’ eighth number-one single on the country charts.
The song’s impact extended beyond the United States, evidenced by its release on a special 3″ CD in Germany alongside tracks like “I Told You So,” “1982,” and “No Place Like Home.” This international release underscored Travis’ global appeal and the universal resonance of his music.
“Deeper Than the Holler” stands as a testament to Randy Travis’ ability to convey deep emotion through his distinctive voice and the songwriting prowess of Overstreet and Schlitz. Its enduring popularity continues to resonate with country music fans, cementing its place as a classic within Travis’ illustrious career and in the annals of country music history.
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Lyrics
Well, I’ve heard those city singers
Singing ’bout how they can love
Deeper than the oceans
Higher than the stars above
But I come from the country
And I know I ain’t seen it all
But I heard that ocean’s salty
And the stars, they sometimes fall
And that would not do justice
To the way I feel for you
So I had to sing this song
About all the things I knew
My love is deeper than the holler
Stronger than the river
Higher than the pine trees growin’ tall upon the hill
My love is purer than the snowflakes
That fall in late December
And honest as a Robin on a springtime window sill
And longer than the song of a whippoorwill
From the back roads to the Broadway shows
With a million miles between
There’s at least a million love songs
That people love to sing
And every one is different
And every one’s the same
And this is just another way
Of saying the same thing
My love is deeper than the holler
Stronger than the river
Higher than the pine trees growin’ tall upon the hill
My love is purer than the snowflakes
That fall in late December
And honest as a Robin on a springtime window sill
And longer than the song of a whippoorwill
My love is deeper than the holler
Stronger than the river
Higher than the pine trees growin’ tall upon the hill
My love is purer than the snowflakes
That fall in late December
And honest as a Robin on a springtime window sill
And longer than the song of a whippoorwill