Don Williams: A Timeless Ode to the Priceless Wealth of Love
The simple truth that a love so pure and visible is a treasure far beyond any earthly fortune.
There’s a certain kind of warmth that only Don Williams could deliver, a voice as smooth as aged whiskey and as comforting as a well-worn rocking chair. It’s a voice that speaks to the very heart of what matters most, stripping away the noise of a complicated world and laying bare the simple, beautiful truths. In 1986, in the midst of a decade often defined by excess and materialism, The Gentle Giant offered us a beautiful counterpoint with his song, “We Got Love.” This track wasn’t a smash hit on the American charts, but its quiet power and profound message resonated with listeners, serving as the lead-off track on his album, New Moves. While it might not have topped the charts like some of his earlier classics, its enduring appeal speaks to a deeper success—the kind that charts are too small to measure.
The song’s essence is distilled in its lyrical simplicity, yet its meaning is as vast as the open sky. Penned by the masterful songwriter Bob McDill, “We Got Love” is a tender declaration that true wealth has nothing to do with money. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple so genuinely happy that their joy is an undeniable, public spectacle. “You, you got me, we got somethin’ everybody else can see,” Williams sings, his voice a gentle caress. This isn’t a secretive or hidden love; it’s a love that radiates, shining so brightly that friends and strangers alike can’t help but notice. They can’t hide their smiles, and their happiness is “too good to hold inside.” For those of us who grew up in a different era, before the relentless pace of today’s world, this kind of open, honest affection was the very definition of a “good thing.” It was the kind of love you saw in your parents, your grandparents, or that old couple down the street who’d been married forever. It was quiet, it was sure, and it was the bedrock of a life well-lived.
The brilliance of “We Got Love” lies in its direct and unwavering contrast between what the world values and what truly sustains a person. “We don’t need no money, honey, you and I,” the chorus proclaims with a simple certainty. “What we’ve got together, money just can’t buy.” This wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was a deeply felt philosophy. It spoke to the generation that had seen it all—from the post-war boom to the challenges of the 70s and 80s. We understood that possessions could be lost, fortunes could be squandered, but a genuine, shared love was a priceless asset, a kind of currency that never depreciated. It was a source of strength, as the song suggests: “Cause love, makes us strong / As long as we’ve got love, we can’t go wrong.” This sentiment served as a gentle reminder that in a world of constant change, a steadfast love is an anchor. It was a theme that Don Williams returned to time and again throughout his career, cementing his reputation as the “Gentle Giant” of country music, a man who consistently championed the heartfelt and the humane over the flashy and the fleeting. Listening to “We Got Love” today feels like a visit with an old friend, a warm embrace from a time when life felt a little less complicated, and the greatest riches were found not in a bank account, but in the heart.
The song’s story is less about a dramatic narrative and more about a timeless truth captured in a simple melody. The production is classic Williams—uncluttered, acoustic, and letting the lyric and his iconic baritone do all the talking. There’s a certain nostalgia that washes over you, a feeling of stepping back to a time when a song could be a simple, profound statement without needing to shout. Bob McDill was a frequent collaborator and friend, and his lyrical gift was in finding the universal in the everyday. This song is a prime example of that gift. It’s a snapshot of a perfect moment—a contented couple, a shared smile, and the unspoken understanding that they are truly home in each other’s arms. For many, Don Williams and his music were a constant, a voice that was always there to remind us of the important things. “We Got Love” continues that tradition, a quiet anthem for anyone who knows that the most valuable things in life are the ones you can’t put a price tag on.
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