The Oak Ridge Boys - Deliver

Nine months exactly after the release of American Made (click here for that review), the Oak Ridge Boys put out their tenth studio album Deliver. Today (October 20th), we mark the thirtieth anniversary of that 1983 release which charted at number 121 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 1 on the US Billboard Country chart.


Side one opens with the gentle rhythms of “Ozark Mountain Jubilee”. As the first single, it went to number 5 on the US Billboard Country chart and number 1 on the Canadian Country chart. The lyrics reflect a longing for a return home.

The sensitive ballad “When You Get To the Heart” features all four of the guys taking turns at lines in the verses.

The lyrics of the lullaby love song “Alice Is In Wonderland” is laced with children’s literary references.

Shifting gears, the guys deliver a classic rock tune with “Ain’t No Cure For the Rock and Roll”. It reminds me a bit of Johnny Rivers’ “Rockin’ Pnemonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” from 1973.

“In the Pines” is a traditional American folk song from the 1870’s that have been covered by my recording artists over the decades. The Oak Ridge Boys deliver a classic country rendition with their wonderful vocal harmonies.

Side two starts with “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes”, which was written by Randy VanWarmer. Released as the second single, it reached number 31 in New Zealand, and number 1 on both the Canadian and the US Country charts. The lyrics deal with the death of a loved one; VanWarmer originally wrote it following the death of his father.

The B-side to the second single was “Through My Eyes”.

“Break My Mind”, another mid-tempo country rocker, is about a guy who will just lose it if his girl leaves him.

“Still Holding On”, with lead vocals by William Lee Golden, is a song about reflection in the autumn years of one’s life.

“Down Deep Inside”, the final track, was also the B-side to the first single. Richard Sterban’s deep bass takes the lead vocals here.