Story Behind the Song: ‘It’s Just A Matter Of Time’

The song we chose for this edition of "The Story Behind The Song" - "It's Just a Matter of Time" - has quite a story to tell. It was first a rhythm and blues hit in 1959, then three major country music recordings would happen in the 1970's and 1980's.

Two of the three country versions went to number one. And when it was first written, it was given to the great singer Nat King Cole to record, but the writers changed their mind and asked him not to record it.

Brook Benton, Belford Hendricks and Clyde Otis wrote the song. After it was given to Nat King Cole, the writers decided that Benton should record it.

Here's Brook Benton in 1959:

Then a decade later, the song would make it's way into country music. In 1970 Sonny James recorded it and he spent four weeks at number one. James performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 11, 1970, just days after the single was released. And on Hee Haw on January 21.

In 1985, Glen Campbell recorded the song, scoring a top ten hit. Then in the fall of 1989, Randy Travis would find success with the storied song scoring his 10th chart topping hit.

See Also: