Don Williams – Then It’s Love: The Quiet, Understated Joy of True Affection
In the extensive songbook of Don Williams, there exists a beautiful collection of tracks that serve as soft-spoken counterpoints to his famous songs of loss and reflection. “Then It’s Love” stands out as one of his most tender and sweetly romantic declarations a song that defines affection not through grand gestures, but through quiet, comforting certainty. This track is a sterling example of why his audience nicknamed him “The Gentle Giant”; he could convey profound emotion without ever raising his voice.
“Then It’s Love” was a significant hit for Don Williams, released in 1988 as the second single from his album, One Good Well. The song performed exceptionally well on the Country charts, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in the United States, and achieving similar success in Canada. This success confirms that audiences were eager for Williams’s warm, comforting take on romantic happiness, especially as the sound of Country music around him was becoming louder and more polarized. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its simplicity, with production by Garth Fundis that is clean, clear, and perfectly tailored to Williams’s distinctive, calming baritone.
The meaning of the song lies in its beautiful, almost philosophical definition of love. It argues that true love is not the fleeting spark of infatuation, but the deep, abiding presence found in the everyday. The lyrics pose a series of questions “Is it the moon on a dark night? / Is it the fire that keeps you warm?” and then offers the simple, elegant answer: “Then It’s Love.” It suggests that true devotion is what remains after the initial excitement fades; it is the source of comfort, stability, and enduring security. This perspective resonated deeply with older, seasoned listeners who understood that the lasting, valuable moments in life are often the quiet ones.
A particularly interesting note about this song is its understated presence in his live repertoire. While it was a solid commercial hit, “Then It’s Love” remains one of those wonderful tracks that often wasn’t given the same frequent stage time as his iconic singalongs like “Tulsa Time” or his biggest ballads. This scarcity makes the song feel all the more personal and cherished by dedicated fans. Perhaps its quiet, contemplative nature made it less suited for the dynamism of a large concert setting, but it is precisely this intimate, fireside quality that makes the studio version so perfect. It is a song meant for a quiet evening, listening closely to the words.
For those of us who appreciate the subtle power of mature love songs, “Then It’s Love” is a masterpiece of restraint. Don Williams delivers the lyrics with a gentle conviction, making the listener believe completely in the peaceful, settled joy he describes. It’s a warm, hopeful melody that reminds us that love, in its purest form, is simply the constant, reliable presence that makes life better.