Imagine a crisp fall day in 1972, when a gifted songwriter named John Schweers penned the heartwarming song that would later become Charley Pride‘s iconic hit, “Amazing Love.” Little did he know that this creation would undergo a year-long journey of evolution before blossoming into the enchanting melody we know today.
Initially, the song bore a different title and was presented to publisher Tom Collins. Schweers vividly recalls that the phrase “Amazing Love” was a mere glimmer within the final verse. Yet, Collins recognized the potential within the song and suggested transforming it into the masterpiece it is today. However, Schweers encountered a hurdle in shaping the narrative positively, as the protagonist in the song seemed to depart indefinitely, leaving a rose on his wife’s pillow. This implied departure was a challenge that Schweers wholeheartedly took on, determined to craft a message of positivity and hope.
For an entire month, “Amazing Love” became Schweers’ creative sanctuary. He painstakingly rewrote the lyrics multiple times, experimenting with over 25 distinct verses before achieving the final two that would resonate with listeners. On April 17, 1973, a momentous day in the annals of music, Charley Pride lent his soulful voice to this enchanting composition, coinciding with RCA’s release of another Pride hit, “Don’t Fight the Feelings of Love.”
Yet, a subtle but crucial snag emerged, centered around a bluesy major-seventh chord that Schweers had thoughtfully woven into the composition. This chord choice ignited a debate, as Pride was known for his raw country sound defined by traditional chords. The musical landscape at the time was dominated by this straightforward approach, and there was trepidation about deviating from the norm. In fact, RCA hesitated to release “Amazing Love” as a single, leading Schweers’ publisher to seek an alternative route.
Just as the tale seemed poised for a different twist, Charley’s producer, Jack Clement, emerged as a guiding light. With Pride away, Clement embarked on a transformational journey. Stripping away layers of instrumentation, he retained Pride’s compelling vocals and the rhythmic heartbeat of the drums from the original recording. Collaborating with Charles Cochran, a new arrangement was crafted, delicately reshaping the chord structure. The harmonious result breathed new life into “Amazing Love,” resolving the chord concern and preserving the authenticity of Pride’s signature sound.
With the culmination of unwavering effort and creative ingenuity, the final version of “Amazing Love” emerged on September 18, 1973. Its release painted a vibrant stroke in the tapestry of country music, scaling the heights of Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart on December 15th. Charley Pride’s rendition marked not only his 13th chart-topping hit but also a timeless testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and the magnetic pull of an “Amazing Love.”
Album: Amazing Love
Artist: Charley Pride
Released: 1973
Lyrics
When she wakes up this morning and turns to kiss me
She’ll find I let her sleep because we talked so late last night
She’ll know I kissed her face gently ’til my returning
And when she finds the rose on my pillow, I know she’ll smile
Her amazing love unending
Is so much more than I am worthy of
If the rose could speak my feelings
She’d know I cherished her amazing love
If I call her a little late she forgives me
Her voice does not betray she’s spent another day alone
She softly thanks me for the rose and says I need you
And then I can feel her smiling on the phone
Her amazing love unending
Is so much more than I am worthy of
If the rose could speak my feelings
She’d know I cherished her amazing love
