Sammy Kershaw’s “Love of My Life”: A Tender Ballad of Everlasting Devotion
Few country love songs manage to strike the heart with sincerity and timelessness quite like “Love of My Life” by Sammy Kershaw. Released in October 1997 as the lead single from his album Labor of Love, the song became one of Kershaw’s most beloved ballads, resonating deeply with those who have experienced a love so profound, it feels destined and eternal.
Written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill, “Love of My Life” is a beautifully simple yet emotionally powerful declaration of devotion. It’s a song that doesn’t rely on grand storytelling or metaphor-heavy lyrics; instead, it thrives on pure sentiment, making it deeply personal yet universally relatable. Kershaw delivers the lyrics with a warm, heartfelt sincerity, his rich Louisiana drawl adding an extra layer of authenticity to the song’s message. It’s not just about romantic passion, but about deep, enduring love—the kind that lasts through the years, through trials, through everything life throws at it.
Upon its release, “Love of My Life” quickly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, only held back from the top spot by Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile”, a song that dominated country radio at the time. In Canada, it reached No. 3, proving its cross-border appeal. The song’s success wasn’t just about radio play—it became a wedding favorite, a slow-dance staple, and a song that continues to hold meaning for countless couples who consider it their song.
A notable addition to the song’s history is the duet version featuring Terri Clark, which was released as a B-side and offered a beautiful interplay of male and female vocals. Though the original solo version remains the most well-known, the duet gave the song a fresh dynamic, emphasizing the idea of mutual love and devotion.
What makes “Love of My Life” endure, even decades after its release, is its timeless message. It doesn’t try to reinvent the love song—it simply expresses what every person in love has felt at some point: gratitude, admiration, and a sense of fate. Kershaw’s voice carries the weight of those emotions effortlessly, making it clear that this isn’t just a song—it’s a heartfelt confession.
Today, “Love of My Life” remains one of Sammy Kershaw’s defining hits, often played at anniversaries, weddings, and romantic moments that call for a song with genuine warmth and devotion. It’s a reminder that, in a world where love songs come and go, the ones that truly resonate are the ones that speak to the heart in the simplest, truest ways.