Randy Travis – 1982

“1982” is a song written by Buddy Blackmon and Vip Vipperman, and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in December 1985 as the second single from his album Storms of Life. It peaked at number 6 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, and number 5 in Canada. According to the ASCAP, Garth Brooks has covered this song.

The song’s narrator recalls a time when his former lover was all his back in the year 1982. According to American Country Countdown (1986 airing, Clear Channel network), the original title of this song was “1962.” However, Travis said that he didn’t feel comfortable singing about a love that he lost when he was only a little over two years old. He and producer Kyle Lehning revised the lyric to refer to 1982, as they felt it was more believable because it would have only been three years before the time of the recording.

From the album Storms of Life
B-side “Reasons I Cheat”
Released December 2, 1985
Recorded 1985
Genre Country
Length 2:59
Label Warner Bros. Nashville
Songwriter(s) James “Buddy” Blackmon Carl “Vip” Vipperman
Producer(s) Kyle Lehning

Randy Travis – 1982 lyrics

Operator, please connect me
With 1982
I need to make apologies
For what I didn’t do
I sure do need to tell her
That I’ve thought the whole thing through
And now it’s clear that she is what
I should have held on to

They say hindsight’s 20/20
But I’m nearly going blind
From staring at her photograph
And wishing she was mine
It’s that same old lost love story
It’s sad but it’s true
There was a time when she was mine
In 1982

Postman, can you sell me
A special kind of stamp
One to send a letter from
This crazy, lonely man
Back into the wasted years
Of my living past
I need to tell her now I know
How long my love will last

They say hindsight’s 20/20
But I’m nearly going blind
From staring at her photograph
And wishing she was mine
It’s that same old lost love story
It’s sad but it’s true
There was a time when she was mine
In 1982
Losing my mind going back in time
To 1982