Ronnie Milsap‘s resonant ballad, “What A Difference You’ve Made in My Life,” crafted by the talented wordsmith Archie Jordan, holds a story as profound as its lyrical essence. In a symphony of fate, neither Milsap nor Jordan felt compelled to initially unveil the song’s origin, leaving the door ajar for listeners to discover the sublime undertones of the song, often recognized as a gospel hymn.
The genesis of this melodious gem traces back to a serene evening when Archie Jordan and his wife gathered with around thirty souls for a Bible study at a friend’s dwelling. The twilight hours unfolded, and during the culmination of the gathering, a man rose to share his testimony—a narrative that echoed with the struggles of battling alcoholism, enduring the throes of a shattered marriage, and the haunting dance with incarceration. Yet, the man’s account reached its zenith as he exclaimed that his life had been transformed by a newfound connection with the divine, uttering the words that would stir the heart of Archie Jordan, “What a difference he’s made in my life.”
The profundity of this proclamation struck Jordan deeply, prompting contemplation on the multitude of lives graced by such pivotal shifts. This wasn’t merely about the divine, but the transformative influence of loved ones—parents, partners, and children. As dawn broke the following day, the tapestry of lyrics and melody unfurled before Jordan’s senses, as “What A Difference You’ve Made in My Life” blossomed into existence with an organic swiftness.
![Ronnie Milsap - What a Difference You've Made in My Life [Live]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eSVy5HrFGbs/hqdefault.jpg)
At the juncture of serendipity, Ronnie Milsap, fresh from the triumph of his hit “It Was Almost Like a Song,” found himself drawn to Archie Jordan’s latest composition. Although captivated by its essence, Milsap’s artistic trajectory steered clear of gospel territories. Thus, with a deft touch, Jordan reimagined a few lines, infusing the song with a “secular” quality, rendering it universally relatable. A seamless partnership of creative minds was underway.
In the studio, the song underwent a meticulous transformation, guided by the hands of producer Tom Collins. An exceptional instrumental arrangement, meticulously curated by Jordan, graced the airwaves. As recording commenced, the studio came alive with the harmonious dance of dueling pianos—a collaboration that went beyond the confines of credits, with Archie Jordan’s virtuosity left unmentioned on the album’s liner notes.
The song’s spiritual undertones soon began to reverberate within the hearts of listeners. As Ronnie Milsap’s rendition resonated across the airwaves, a chorus of gospel artists yearned to embrace its message. A cascade of renditions emerged, each a testament to the song’s transcendent essence. Notable among them were renditions by the likes of Amy Grant and B. J. Thomas.
Upon its debut on Billboard’s country singles chart, “What A Difference You’ve Made in My Life” etched an impressive narrative. It entered the scene at an astounding #40 on November 19, 1977—a rarity for a song in its inaugural week—finding its rightful place atop the charts ten weeks later, on January 21, 1978. This marked the inception of a harmonious collaboration between Ronnie Milsap and Archie Jordan, birthing three more singles that would captivate the hearts of audiences worldwide: “Let’s Take The Long Way Around The World” (#1, 1978), “In No Time At All” (#6, 1979), and “Turn That Radio On” (#4, 1992).
In the annals of musical history, “What A Difference You’ve Made in My Life” stands as an enduring testament to the power of transformation, love, and the profound impact that each life can wield upon another. As the melodies linger, so too does the tale of its inception—a story that began with a moment of revelation and found its crescendo in the harmonious partnership of musical souls.
Album: It Was Almost Like a Song
Artist: Ronnie Milsap
Released: 1977
Lyrics
What a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life
What a change you have made in my heart
What a change you have made in my heart
You replaced all the broken parts
Oh, what a change you have made in my heart
Love to me was just a word in a song
That had been way overused
But now I’ve joined in the singin’
‘Cause you’ve shown me love’s true meanin’
That’s why I wanna spread the news
What a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life (listen to it)
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made, yeah
What a difference you’ve made in my life
(Difference you’ve made in my life)
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made…
(Go ahead and sing it)
What a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshin, day and night
(Oh yeah, sing it to me)
What a difference you’ve made…
What a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made…
What a difference you’ve made in my life
