Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina, the second of six children of Bobbie, a textile factory worker, and Harold Traywick, a horse breeder, turkey farmer, and construction business owner. While growing up, Travis was forced to take guitar lessons by his father and began performing at the age of eight with his brother, Ricky. Travis began drinking at the age of 12, and by 14 was a regular marijuana user, who occasionally dabbled in harder drugs. He often fought with his father and soon dropped out of high school. He became a juvenile delinquent and was arrested for various offenses, including auto theft and burglary.
Harold Traywick entered Randy and Ricky in a talent contest at a nightclub called "Country City, USA" in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the meantime, Ricky, who also had brushes with the law, was sentenced to jail and Randy had to complete the contest alone, but he won anyway. The club's manager, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher, took an interest in Travis and gave him a job singing at the club. Travis began focusing on music. He first recorded for Paula Records and released two unsuccessful singles — "She's My Woman" and "Dreamin'". Travis' legal troubles continued and he was due in court for probation violations. Hatcher pleaded with the judge and Travis was released in her custody with the warning that if the judge ever saw him again "he'd better bring his toothbrush, because he would be going to jail for a very long time."
Travis moved in with Hatcher. This put further strain on her already fragile marriage. She eventually left her husband and, in 1982, she and Travis moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Travis was soon turned down by every record label in town. His early demo tapes were criticized by Nashville record executives as being "too country." Hatcher took a job as manager of a nightclub, "The Nashville Palace" and hired Travis as a cook and singer. It was during this time that an unlikely romance began to form between the two; Travis said "I think we discovered how much we needed each other."
Career
In 1982, Travis recorded an independent album Randy Ray Live and Lib Hatcher used it to secure a deal with Warner Bros. Records. However, the label said they had to keep their romance a secret, so as not to turn away fans, and changed his stage name from Randy Ray to Randy Travis. In 1985, Warner Brothers released Travis' single, "On the Other Hand," which topped out at 67 on the country charts. His next single, "1982", became a Top 10 hit followed by the re-release of "On the Other Hand" in 1986. The re-release became Travis' first number one hit.
His debut album, Storms of Life, went on to sell more than 4 million copies. In the late 1980s, he had a string of hits, including "No Place Like Home" and "Diggin' Up Bones." A song from his second Warner Brothers album "Always and Forever" titled "Forever and Ever, Amen" arguably launched the neo-traditionalist country era, boosting the popularity of country music beyond its traditional fan base. For two years in a row, Travis won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, for the albums Always & Forever in 1988, and for Old 8x10 in 1989. Off the success of his first two albums, Old 8x10 shipped platinum. Always and Forever was number one for 43 weeks.
Travis and Hatcher married in 1991. That year Travis took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Kathy Mattea. By 1992, Travis was no longer charting high, as Brooks, Clint Black and others had taken over Nashville. He took a break from music to concentrate on acting and landed roles in several Western-genre films. He returned to recording with the 1994 album This Is Me and the hit single "Whisper My Name."
In 1997, Travis parted ways with Warner Brothers. He moved to DreamWorks Nashville and recorded You and You Alone, which produced the top 10 hits "Out of My Bones" and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man." These were followed by 2000's albums Inspirational Journey, 2002's Rise and Shine and 2003's Worship and Faith. The single "Three Wooden Crosses" from the Rise and Shine album reached No. 1 and won the CMA song of the year in 2003. That same year, Travis ranked #13 on CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music. Travis continues to act in film and television; he appeared on the series finale of Touched by an Angel. His second most recent album, Passing Through, was released in November of 2004. It combines the country music of his earlier years, with a little gospel mixed in from more recent albums. After the release of "Glory Train" in 2005 and the Christmas album "Songs of the Season" in 2007, Travis released his brand new single "Faith In You" as a free download from his official website. It heralds the projected summer [2008] release of his forthcoming album, "Around the Bend". Along with the release of the free single, RandyTravis.com has also underwent a complete overhaul, with opportunities for fans to create blogs and join an upcoming official fan club. The new sleek look of the website has attracted throngs of fans. Contributor Anthony Maurizio has recently produced the Digging Up Bones blog series on the website, which has increased website traffic and is considered one of the most esteemed country music articles available for reading.
It's Just a Matter of Time
Randy Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, darling, you're going to need me again
Its just a matter of time
Go on, go on
'Til you've reach the end of the line
'Cause I know you'll pass my way again
It's just a matter of time
You laughed and you called me a clown
Remember in your search for fortune and fame
What goes up must come down
I, I know, I know
That one day you'll wake up and find
That my love is a true love
It's just a matter of time
Someday and someway
Girl, you'll realize that you've been blind
Yes, darling, I know you gonna need me again
It's just a matter of time
After I gave you everything I had
You laughed and you called me a clown
But remember in your search for fortune and fame
What goes up must come down
I, I know, I know
That one day you'll wake up and find
That my love was a true love
It's just a matter of time
The lyrics to Randy Travis's song "It's Just a Matter of Time" speak about a love that has been lost but will eventually be rekindled. The song speaks to the concept that what goes around comes around, and the one who laughed and called the singer a clown will one day realize the error of their ways. The repeated line of "It's just a matter of time" speaks to the inevitability of this realization and the singer's certainty that the love they once shared will be reignited.
Throughout the song, the singer speaks about having given everything they had to the relationship, only to be laughed at and brushed off. However, they remain steadfast in their love, knowing that one day the other person will see the error of their ways and come back to them. The line "What goes up must come down" serves as a warning to the one who laughed, as fame and fortune are fleeting and can be lost just as easily.
Overall, the lyrics of "It's Just a Matter of Time" convey a sense of hope, even in the face of heartbreak. The singer is resigned to the fact that their love may have to wait, but they are confident that it will eventually be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday, someway you'll realize that you've been blind
At some point in the future, you will recognize that you were unaware or mistaken before.
Yes, darling, you're going to need me again
You will require my help, love, or companionship in the future.
Its just a matter of time
It is inevitable and will happen eventually.
Go on, go on
Continue on your path or journey.
'Til you've reach the end of the line
Until you have finished or completed your task or journey.
'Cause I know you'll pass my way again
I am certain that you will come back to me at some point.
It's just a matter of time
It is inevitable and will happen eventually.
After I gave you everything I had
Following my act of giving you all that I could offer.
You laughed and you called me a clown
You ridiculed or mocked me for expressing my emotions or devotion.
Remember in your search for fortune and fame
Be mindful that while pursuing wealth and success, other aspects of life can be neglected or lost.
What goes up must come down
Anything that is elevated or prosperous has the potential to decline or fail.
I, I know, I know
I am certain or confident.
That one day you'll wake up and find
You will eventually become aware or realize.
That my love is a true love
What I feel for you is sincere and genuine.
It's just a matter of time
It is inevitable and will happen eventually.
Someday and someway
At some point and by some means.
Girl, you'll realize that you've been blind
You will discover that you were unaware or mistaken before.
Yes, darling, I know you gonna need me again
You will require my help, love, or companionship in the future.
It's just a matter of time
It is inevitable and will happen eventually.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Belford Hendricks, Brook Benton, Clyde Otis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryhaynes9493
My favorite Randy Travis song ever! 1987 -1993 country music at its best!
@yvonnejarman4610
Mine also
@greatsongs21
No body does country like Randy, that voice is hypnotizing, and yes hitting replay.
@barbarabrown4205
Me too for a hr, Marion. He's just beyond wonderful. Praying for him.can't help but keep hitting repeat
@charlotteduncancharlottedu6423
Love Randy travis so very much. Pray for him aliways.
@DS-ev7wl
And Doug Stone! Both are amazing
@christyallain7231
I've seen this man I'm concert! His voice is mesmerizing!! When he hit the really low parts 😍❤️🔥 it literally vibrated the whole stadium. It was indescribable..
@ycul21
When he sings those low notes wow you feel like they are reaching down deep inside you. Wonderful song and singer.☺
@judithkiest6044
Awsome voice,can't believe the ranges he can reach.we just love Randy
@Pureheart_gentlesoul
Hello Judith..