As a songwriter, Owens knew his own singing strengths and weaknesses better than anybody. His compositions thus were written with just one voice in mind. Therefore, only a few of his hits would be redone by other artists. Typical of his work was “My Heart Skips A Beat.” With a constant joyful drumbeat setting the rhythm and Don Rich’s high tenor harmonies, the song literally jumped off the radio. In this song as well as other number ones such as “Love’s Gonna Live Here,” “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail,” “I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me),” “Sam’s Place” and many others, it sounds as if Buck is grinning his way through each and every word. He didn’t seem to be feeling the songs’ messages as much as he was enjoying making a ton of money from those records.
One of his self-penned tunes that seemed to reveal a much deeper Buck Owens was “Together Again.” Shortly after composing this song in the wee hours one morning in 1963, Buck immediately dismissed it as a “throwaway” piece. He had written the number in just a few minutes and perhaps because it had taken so little effort, Owens couldn’t see the song’s real merits. “Together Again” spoke of the joy of reclaimed love in an almost prayerful manner. Its simple message was wrapped in a melody that seemed almost better-suited for a song about heartbreak, not love rekindled. With its mournful music set against a happy message, it reminded the listener of just how much it hurts to lose someone you love. Yet it also spelled out that this deep anguish is what makes getting back together again so wonderful.
Buck threw “Together Again” on the “B” side of the high-energy number “My Heart Skips A Beat.” Nothing was expected of the ballad. Yet, just a week after the “A” side landed on Billboard’s country singles chart on March 28, 1964, “Together Again” followed. It spotlighted Tom Brumley on one of the industry’s most highly-acclaimed steel guitar solos.
