Don Williams’ “Come From the Heart”: The Gentle Giant’s Testament to Truth and Sincerity in Life and Love
While many instantly associate the definitive chart success of “Come From the Heart” with Kathy Mattea, who took her rendition to Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1989, it is the version by Don Williams that truly established the song’s enduring spirit. His recording of the song, which appeared on his 1987 album, Traces, is the foundational performance—a quiet, powerful statement that perfectly fit his philosophical, understated style. His version, while not released as a major single that time around, served as a crucial endorsement from a country legend, signaling its quality and enduring message to the world.
The song itself was a masterstroke of songwriting, penned by the immensely talented duo of Richard Leigh and Susanna Clark. The true story behind the song is often attributed to a conversational insight, a moment of wisdom shared between friends, which is precisely what the song feels like. The core message is disarmingly simple, yet so often forgotten in the rush of life: If you want something to last, to matter, to ring true, it must come from the deepest, most sincere part of your soul—it must “come from the heart.”
This is the essence of Don Williams’ artistry. His entire career was built on this premise. He didn’t rely on flash, volume, or gimmickry; his power lay in his directness and sincerity. When he sang, you felt like he was sharing something deeply personal and utterly true, and his rendition of “Come From the Heart” embodies this philosophy completely. His voice, that smooth, resonant baritone, delivers the lines about honest speaking and genuine love with an almost paternal warmth. It’s not a command; it’s an invitation to live a life built on solid ground.
For those of us who have lived long enough to accumulate a few scars and a good deal of wisdom, the lyrics are particularly poignant. “You’ve got to sing like you don’t need the money / Love like you’ll never get hurt / You got to dance like nobody’s watchin’ / It’s gotta come from the heart if you want it to work.” Isn’t that the lesson we all eventually learn? That the only way to truly live—to be vulnerable, to be joyful, to be real—is to let go of fear and calculation?
This song takes us back to a time when country music cherished simplicity and storytelling above all else. It reminds us of an era when a song could quietly capture a fundamental life lesson and become a beloved classic without a massive marketing machine behind it. Listening to Don Williams deliver these lines is like sitting on a porch with a wise old friend who has seen it all and simply wants to pass on the best advice he has. He gives the song gravity and grace, turning what could be a simple platitude into a genuine meditation on authenticity.
It’s a powerful piece of nostalgia, not just for the sound of the late 80s, but for the values it champions. It encourages a kind of brave sincerity that we could all use a little more of today. So, when you drop the needle on this one, take a moment to listen not just to the notes, but to the gentle, profound reminder from the Gentle Giant himself: live your life truly, for the only things that endure are those that come from the heart.