Introduction:
“It’s Just a Matter of Time,” originally written by Brook Benton, Clyde Otis, and Belford Hendricks, began life as a pop/R&B standard when Benton’s own version soared to No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 1959. The song’s genesis stemmed from a moment when Benton expressed songwriting frustration—Otis’s comforting reply inspired the emotional lyric of enduring hope and belief that a lost love would return.
Its country reinterpretation began with Sonny James, whose tender rendition topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in February 1970 and continued his remarkable streak of consecutive chart-topping hits. Glen Campbell later offered his take in 1985, landing his version at No. 7 on the country charts in early 1986.
Randy Travis’s soulful cover came next—released in August 1989 as the lead single from his album No Holdin’ Back. His blues-inflected rendition became his 10th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Originally recorded for a 1980s compilation titled Rock, Rhythm & Blues featuring covers of 1950s pop songs, Travis’s version was so compelling that it was later included on No Holdin’ Back.
Travis’s interpretation brought renewed depth and country authenticity to the song, blending his rich baritone with a modern yet nostalgic style. It not only demonstrated his versatility but also paid homage to the song’s R&B roots while firmly staking its place in country music history.