Heroes and Friends

"Heroes and Friends" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was written with Don Schlitz. It was released in January 1991 as the second and final single from his album of duets, Heroes & Friends and his only song on the album that was not a duet. The song opens and closes the album. "Heroes and Friends" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and reached number 1 (his fourteenth number 1) on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

Background and writing

Travis recalled the beginnings of the song on his website: "Lib (Travis' Wife and manager Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher) came up with that title for the duets album, and I thought it would make a wonderful song title. I was sitting backstage in Scotland one night and for some reason or other I thought of a way to write the song. I started the first verse and wrote a few lines before I had to quit to do the show. I stuck it in my pocket and actually forgot about it until I got back to Nashville and Don Schlitz and I sat down and finished it.^[1]"

Content

This song sets the theme for the rest of the album. The narrator says that the two things that one can depend on forever are heroes and friends. A reprise of the song closes the album with the chorus being sung by everyone who sang on the album with Travis.

Music video

The music video was directed by Mark Coppos and premiered in late 1990.

The music video features footage of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans from their television series and movies. Roy Rogers himself makes an appearance near the end of the video.

Chart performance

This song spent two consecutive weeks at number 1 on the RPM country Tracks chart beginning April 20, 1991.

Year-end charts

References