Randy Travis Ponders on His Choices in His Number One Track “On the Other Hand”

Country singer and dubbed one of the pioneers of the “new traditionalists,” Randy Travis, scored his first number-one hit, “On the Other Hand,” off his freshman album Storms of Life. And this was definitely a monumental moment for him as it was also his first single as the rebranded Randy Travis under Warner Bros Records. That is, before, he went by his real name, Randy Traywick, and was turned down by every label down Music Row for being what they called “too country.”

But here’s an interesting fact: The first drop of the single in July 1985 didn’t really reach much success. It had a lukewarm reception, only peaking at 67 on the country chart. But when the label reissued the song in April 1986, it hit the top of the charts, earning Travis the first of his 16 number-one hits. 

Keith Whitley also cut the track in 1985 for his album L.A. to Miami. 

Meaning Behind the Song

“On the Other Hand” was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, the Nashville-based songwriting partners who also penned Keith Whitley’s classic hit “When You Say Nothing at All.” The song started while they were trying to write a different song called “Greedy Heart.” And that idea was: When you have a woman in your life, you shouldn’t be out there looking for another one. 

He said, “I personally was tired of that whole scenario of going from one relationship to another, and not having the strength to really say no in tempting situations. I was hoping we could write a song that would say we had the strength to say no.”

The song opens, weighing a tempting choice, “On one hand, I count the reasons I could stay with you / And hold you close to me all night long.” Then, the next verse introduces the other choice, and that is the loyal choice — the right choice — to stay with someone you committed to with a golden band. According to Overstreet, the song was quickly finished the moment they landed on the “golden band” line. 

After contemplating his choices, the narrator ultimately stayed true to the vows he made. 

Listen to Randy Travis’ “On the Other Hand” in the video below.