Introduction
“When You Say Nothing at All” is a country music ballad written by Don Schlitz and originally recorded by American country music singer Keith Whitley. It was released in 1988 as the second single from his album Don’t Close Your Eyes. The song became Whitley’s first and only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, spending five weeks at the top.
The song is a love song about the unspoken communication between two people in love. The lyrics describe how the singer can tell how his lover feels by her smile, her eyes, and her touch, even when she doesn’t say a word. The song’s chorus is:
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall You say it best when you say nothing at all
“When You Say Nothing at All” has been covered by many other artists, including Alison Krauss & Union Station, Irish singer Frances Black, and Ronan Keating. It has also been featured in several films and television shows, including The Bodyguard, Sleepless in Seattle, and Dawson’s Creek.
The song is considered a classic of country music and has been praised for its beautiful lyrics and Whitley’s emotional vocals. It is a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions.
In 1999, “When You Say Nothing at All” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
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