Alabama knew how to craft hit-after-hit in their prime, reeling off an unbelievable 21-straight number one singles.
That’s a record that certainly seems untouchable (although Luke Combs is getting close), and though this particular song didn’t help the streak, it definitely had the same vibe and popularity that many of their other career number ones possessed.
Alabama released “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go” on this date in 1990, and the sappy love song was an immediate success. The tune was the third single from their 1990 album Pass It On Down.
How can one describe “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go?” Well, if I had to take a stab at it, it’s a sentimental, romantic song that welcomed Alabama into the 1990’s even though it had many musical elements that would date it to (or make it sound like it’s from) the 80’s.
And that’s by no means a diss to the song, or the band for that matter. Alabama arguably owned the 1980’s, so I don’t think anyone would blame them for trying to extend the decade by bringing some of its sound and style into the 90’s.
The song’s performance speaks for itself. “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go” was the 29th number one hit for Alabama, and it made itself comfortable on the US Hot Country chart, stating there for a total of twenty weeks (one of those being at the number one spot).
Alabama usually never shied away from “rocking” the line of country and rock and roll, but this one is actually one of their more mundane hits.
You kind of wait for their rocking side to kick in at some point, but they instead choose to keep things slow and steady and lean on some charming lyrics throughout:
“I will give you my heart
Faithful and true
And all the love it can hold
That’s all I can do
But I’ve thought about
How long I’ll love you
And it’s only fair that you know
Forever’s as far as I’ll go.”
Man, they really get you with the “I’ve thought about how long this love will last, and it turns out it’s going to go on forever.” Did anyone do lyrical misdirection (one could also call it “lyrical bait-and-switch”) better than Alabama?
Take a listen: