He is a relative of Cajun music legend, Doug Kershaw.
After the death of his father when Sammy was 11, he worked a variety of jobs by day while playing roadhouses at night to support his family.
During that time, he opened shows for Ray Price, Merle Haggard and George Jones while barely into his teens. When the pressures of growing up fast took their toll in the form of a serious drug and alcohol problem, he quit his bad habits cold turkey in 1988 and took a break from music to work as a remodeling supervisor at Wal-Mart.
One of Kershaw's demo tapes made its way to Mercury Records, which released his debut album in 1991. His traditional country voice found a receptive audience in the early 1990s, with hits like "Cadillac Style," "She Don't Know She's Beautiful" and a remake of the Amazing Rhythm Aces' "Third Rate Romance."
Shortly thereafter, Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan divorced their spouses and married in 2001. They separated two years later, but quickly reconciled. Prior to their marriages, Kershaw and Morgan recorded two duets - "Maybe Not Tonight" and "He Drinks Tequila", both of which made the Top 40.
He has released over 14 albums in his career including "I Want My Money Back" on Audium Records in 2003.
Kershaw filed for protection under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on February 7, 2007.
Singles
Year Title Album US Country
1991 "Cadillac Style" Don't Go Near The Water 3
1991 "Don't Go Near The Water" Don't Go Near The Water 12
1992 "Yard Sale" Don't Go Near The Water 17
1993 "Anywhere But Here" Don't Go Near The Water 10
1992 "She Don't Know She's Beautiful" Haunted Heart 1
1993 "Haunted Heart" Haunted Heart 9
1993 "Queen Of My Double-Wide Trailer" Haunted Heart 7
1994 "I Can't Reach Her Anymore"A Haunted Heart 3
1994 "National Working Woman's Holiday" Feelin' Good Train 2
1994 "Third Rate Romance" Feelin' Good Train 2
1995 "Southbound" Feelin' Good Train 27
1995 "If You're Gonna Walk, I'm Gonna Crawl" Feelin' Good Train 18
1995 "Your Tattoo" The Hits, Chapter One 47
1996 "Meant To Be" Politics, Religion And Her 5
1996 "Vidalia" Politics, Religion And Her 10
1997 "Politics, Religion And Her" Politics, Religion And Her 28
1997 "Fit To Be Tied Down" Politics, Religion And Her 29
1998 "Love Of My Life"A, B Labor Of Love 2
1998 "Matches" Labor Of Love 22
1998 "Honky Tonk America" Labor Of Love 31
1999 "One Day Left To Live" Labor Of Love 35
1999 "Maybe Not Tonight" (w/ Lorrie Morgan) Maybe Not Tonight 17
1999 "When You Love Someone" Maybe Not Tonight 37
2000 "Me And Maxine" Maybe Not Tonight 35
2001 "He Drinks Tequila" (w/ Lorrie Morgan) I Finally Found Someone 39
2003 "I Want My Money Back" I Want My Money Back 33
2003 "I've Never Been Anywhere" I Want My Money Back 58
2006 "Tennessee Girl" Honky Tonk Boots 43
2006 "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" Honky Tonk Boots -
Love of My Life
Sammy Kershaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you are the reason I'm alive
And baby baby baby
When I think of how you saved me
I go crazy
I've never known love like this
And it fills me with a new tenderness
You're in my heart you're in my soul
You're all I can't resist
And I need to tell you
The first time I held you
I knew you are the love of my life
I spent a lifetime waiting
Always hesitating until you
I was lost so deep inside my shell
'Til you came and saved me from myself
Now all I really know
Is I need you
And you are the love of my life
All the joy and tears that I cry
And baby baby baby
You don't have to say a word
I see it in your eyes
As we stand together
I promise forever
'Til the day that I die
You are the love of my life
I spent a lifetime waiting
Always hesitating until you
I was lost so deep inside my shell
'Til you came and saved me from myself
Now all I really know
Is I need you
You are the love of my life
You are the reason I'm alive
Sammy Kershaw's song "Love of My Life" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the impact it can have on one's life. The song is a declaration of love towards his significant other. The song is filled with genuine emotion, as he acknowledges that his beloved is the reason he is alive. He confesses that he has never known love like this before, and the experience fills him with a sense of tenderness that he has never experienced before. The chorus repeats the phrase "you are the love of my life," emphasizing the immense importance of his partner's place in his life.
Kershaw's lyrics go on to suggest that his life had little meaning or direction prior to meeting his love. He waited his whole life, hesitating until he found the person that made him feel alive. He seemed to be in a state of isolation, but his partner brought him out of his shell and saved him from his own destructive tendencies. He is now keenly aware that he needs his love and would like to spend the rest of his life with her.
In summary, "Love of My Life" is a heartfelt love letter in the form of a song, filled with genuine emotion and heartfelt expressions of love towards his partner. The song is an acknowledgment of the transformative impact of love and how it can change one's perception of self and the world around them.
Interesting facts about the song:
1) "Love of My Life" is one of Sammy Kershaw's most successful charting hits, peaking at #2 on the US Billboard country charts.
2) The song was written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill, and produced by Stegall.
3) The song was originally intended to be recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion, but Kershaw's version was released first.
4) Kershaw's version of the song was featured in the 1993 film "Moment of Truth: Into the Arms of Danger."
5) The song's music video features Kershaw singing in a recording studio, intercut with footage of him and his love interest on a romantic date.
6) Kershaw has said in interviews that the song's message resonates deeply with him and reflects his own feelings towards his wife.
7) The song was also featured on Kershaw's album "Haunted Heart" which was released in 1993.
8) "Love of My Life" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
9) The song became a popular choice for weddings and romantic occasions due to its heartfelt and emotional nature.
10) Kershaw performed the song live in 2013 as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s 75th-anniversary celebration.
Chords (Key of A):
Intro: A E D A
Verse 1: A E D A | A E D A
Chorus: A E D A | A E F#m D | A E D A | E D A
Verse 2: A E D A | A E D A
Chorus: A E D A | A E F#m D | A E D A | E D A
Bridge: F#m D E A | A E D A
Chorus: A E D A | A E F#m D | A E D A | E D A
Outro: A E D A | A E D A | A E D A | A.
Note: The chords may vary depending on the artist's interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the love of my life
You are the person who means the world to me and I cannot think of a life without you.
And you are the reason I'm alive
You have given me a reason to live and make every moment count with you.
And baby baby baby
You mean so much to me that I can't help but call you 'baby' multiple times.
When I think of how you saved me
You came into my life and made me a better person, and I am grateful for that every day.
I go crazy
You drive me insane with the amount of love and passion I have for you.
I've never known love like this
I have never experienced a love as strong and profound as the one I have for you.
And it fills me with a new tenderness
My love for you only grows stronger with time, and it fills me with an overwhelming sense of tenderness and affection.
You're in my heart you're in my soul
You are a part of me, and I cannot separate my heart and soul from the love I have for you.
You're all I can't resist
I am helplessly and irreversibly in love with you, and there is nothing I can do to resist that feeling.
And I need to tell you
I have to express my love and gratitude towards you.
The first time I held you
The very first time I held you, I realized that there was something special about you.
I knew you are the love of my life
I knew at that moment that you were the one I was meant to be with forever.
I spent a lifetime waiting
I waited for the longest time for someone like you to come into my life.
Always hesitating until you
I was always unsure and indecisive until I met you, and then everything changed.
I was lost so deep inside my shell
I was very introverted and closed-off before I met you, and I did not let anyone into my inner world.
Til you came and saved me from myself
You helped me come out of my shell and become a better version of myself, someone who could love and be loved.
Now all I really know
The only thing I am certain of in life is that I need you with me always.
Is I need you
You are everything to me and I cannot function without you in my life.
All the joy and tears that I cry
You are the source of all my happiness and my tears, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
You don't have to say a word
I know you love me just as much as I love you, and words are not necessary to express that love.
I see it in your eyes
Your eyes communicate your love and emotions towards me better than anything else ever could.
As we stand together
We are in this journey of life together, and I will always stand by your side no matter what comes our way.
I promise forever
I promise to love and cherish you forever, till the end of time.
Til the day that I die
My love for you will last until the very last breath I take.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: DANIEL GRAFTON HILL, KEITH STEGALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Sloan
My husband and I have Been Married 35 years . He is truly the love of my life . We have faced many things together. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with cancer . When he shaved my hair off we laughed, we cried , and we made it through and kicked Cancers butt . I can’t imagine my life without him in it . Together we have built a great life 3 kids , 8 grandkids . God has truly been good to us .
Jason Snipes
Hallelujah
joyce kethman
So it really does happen. There's real love out there . I'm waiting :):):)
Bill Simms
Lisa, that is fantastic. I wish you continued good health. My wife and I saw Sammy, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin a few years back. I added this song to her concert playlist. She fought a 4 month battle with stomach cancer. She's watching over her family from heaven today.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBClIVStaaNStvjG3KSgrGTZ5f7DA2dZ
David Sydenstricker
That is just beautiful wish I had that
Sky 🫂🕊️
YOUR truly blessed
Donna Ryland
In April my husband & I will be married 25 yrs. we had this song incorporated into our ceremony...Wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Lauren Morrow
😊
Lauren Morrow
😊😊😊
cheryl gagne
I think in the past five days I’ve watch this video about 500 times at least. And Christmas Eve I lost the true love of my life… I’m finding it hard to get through every day without crying. This was our song. I know he’s in heaven watching over me and someday I will meet him again I am sure of that… You never truly lose your soulmate🌹🙏