Don Williams sang with the kind of ease that made the world feel quiet. His voice didn’t just entertain—it comforted, healed, and gave people hope. But there was one song the Gentle Giant refused to perform live. Not because it wasn’t good. Not because fans didn’t ask. But because it cut too deep.
And the reason behind that silence is both heartbreaking and unforgettable.
A Song Too Personal for the Stage
Throughout his long career, Don Williams had a string of hits—“I Believe in You,” “Tulsa Time,” “Lord I Hope This Day Is Good.” But tucked among his catalog was a lesser-known track that he never included in his setlists.
That song was called: “If Love Gets There Before I Do.”
At first listen, it sounds like a tender love letter—a song about love outlasting time and separation. But to Don, it was more than a love song. It was a memory. A goodbye. A wound.
A Private Loss, A Public Silence
Close friends say the song was inspired by a personal loss Don never fully spoke about—a dear friend, or possibly a family member, who passed away before they had a chance to reconnect.
He recorded the song in the studio, quietly and solemnly, and when it was done, he reportedly said:
“That one’s not for the stage. That one’s just for them.”
No elaborate explanation. No spotlight.
Just a man paying tribute to a love—and a pain—that lived deep in his heart.
Fans Never Forgot the Silence
Over the years, fans begged to hear the song live. Some even brought signs to concerts requesting it. But Don never gave in. Not once.
To him, singing it would have meant reliving the grief, and he wasn’t willing to break down on stage.
And maybe that’s what made Don Williams different. While others sang for the crowd, he sang for the heart—and sometimes, even a heart as big as his had to protect itself.
A Song You May Never Hear Live—But Will Always Feel
Though he never performed “If Love Gets There Before I Do” on stage, the song remains a quiet gem for those who discover it. A reminder that behind every artist is a human being—with hidden sorrows, sacred memories, and songs they hold too close to share.
So the next time you listen to Don Williams, remember:
The songs he didn’t sing tell just as much of a story as the ones he did.