Chart Rewind: In 1986, Anne Murray’s Fellow Canadians Cemented Her ‘Forever’ Legacy
The smooth alto vocalist topped Hot Country Songs with "Now and Forever (You & Me)."
Anne Murray performing on June 17, 1986, in Dallas.
When Nova Scotia native Anne Murray attained the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart dated April 24, 1986, it marked the only time in her career that two noted Canadian producers, both from British Columbia, pitched in on the project.
David Foster (Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston) guided just one cut on Murray’s 10-track Something To Talk About album, created from a melody he cowrote with Jim Vallance (Tina Turner, Glass Tiger), a frequent Bryan Adams cowriter. They mostly had just a topline and chords when they introduced it to Murray, who then called Nashville songwriter Randy Goodrum (Murray’s “You Needed Me,” Steve Perry’s “Oh Sherrie,” Toto’s “I’ll Be Over You”) to concoct some lyrics.
The result was “Now and Forever (You & Me),” a midtempo pop-country single loaded with electronic keyboards, spiky guitars and backing vocals from Mr. Mister lead singer Richard Page.
“Now and Forever” started at No. 58 on the Hot Country Songs chart dated Jan. 25, 1986, progressing to No. 1 over a 14-week climb. It marked the last of her 10 trips to the country summit, which began with her cover of a George Jones chart-topper, the re-gendered “He Thinks I Still Care,” which reached the summit on July 27, 1974.
Overall, Murray amassed 25 top 10 country singles, four top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100 and 19 Adult Contemporary top 10s. “Now and Forever” peaked at No. 7 on AC. Now retired from music, Murray was celebrated in an Oct. 27, 2025, Nashville tribute that featured Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Collin Raye and k.d. lang.
