'Love Can Build a Bridge': The Story Behind The Judds' Unity Anthem

One of The Judds' best-known hits, 1990's "Love Can Build a Bridge" served as a farewell from Naomi Judd, who was retiring from music due to chronic illness. Naomi co-wrote the song, which reached No. 5 in mid-1991, with Paul Overstreet and John Barlow Jarvis.

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The Grammy award-winning title track of The Judds' final album tells a fitting tale. It's about the bonds between families —as well as artists and their fans— and how those connections can remain strong through troubling times.

"Naomi Judd handed me a set of lyrics she had written which was inspired by a conversation she had with Paul Overstreet," Jarvis told Nashville Hype (as quoted by Songfacts). "I immediately heard a melody and wrote it in literally 15 minutes. What took the most time was finding the right feel for the final recording. I believe we recorded it two or three different times before they were happy."

The Country Music Hall of Fame duo released several beloved hits throughout their incredible career, including "Mama, He's Crazy," "Love is Alive," "Why Not Me," "Have Mercy," "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" and more.

Other Versions

It was covered  in 1995 by Chrissie Hynde, Cher, Nenah Cherry and Eric Clapton for the Comic Relief charity. That version reached No. 1 in the UK and Scotland. It wasn't the first recording for a worthy cause— Children for Rwanda covered it in 1994 for Save the Children.

Irish pop group Westlife recorded the song for 2006's The Love Album.

In addition, 10-year-old Britney Spears performed the hit during her 1992 run on Star Search. It's been covered on The Voice, as well, most notably by Sundance Head (2016) and Keisha Renee (2017).

Other Media

Love Can Build a Bridge is also the name of Naomi's 1993 autobiography and the 1995 made-for-television biographical film Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge.

Per its description, Naomi's book is a "behind-the-scenes look into the Judds' private lives [that] spares no one and nothing."

The film starred Kathleen York as Naomi and Viveka Davis as Wynonna. Hairstylist Linda De Andrea was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award (Outstanding Individual Achievement in Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special).

Judds Reunions

It's a big part of Judds lore because the duo performed it as part of a reunion during the 1994 Super Bowl halftime show. Held that year at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Rockin' Country Halftime Show also featured Travis Tritt, Clint Black and Tanya Tucker.

In April 2022, Wynonna and Naomi reunited one last time to perform "Love Can Build a Bridge" in downtown Nashville as part of that year's CMT Music Awards. It was the group's first televised performance in almost 20 years. Naomi died by suicide later that month.

Naomi Judd's Memorial Service

Fittingly, Wynonna closed her mother's May 15, 2022 memorial service at the Ryman Auditorium with a Pentecostal choir-accompanied rendition.

"I want her to hear this," Wynonna said, before leading the audience in a chill-inducing singalong of Naomi's words.

Wynonna also helped open the show with a performance of "River of Time" (after being introduced by her sister Ashley Judd) and joined Brandi Carlile to perform "The Rose."

Hosted by Robin Roberts, the tribute to Naomi also featured performances from Brad Paisley ("Young Love"), Brandi Carlile, Carly Pearce ("Why Not Me"), Emmylou Harris and Allison Russell ("The Sweetest Gift"), Little Big Town ("Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)), Ashley McBryde ("Love is Alive") and Gaither Vocal Band ("How Beautiful Heaven Must Be") and messages from Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Reba McEntire, Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek and Martina McBride.

The memorial aired live on CMT.

"Love Can Build a Bridge" had uplifting church service vibes again at the 2023 CMA Awards when Jelly Roll, K. Michelle and the Fisk Jubilee Singers closed the broadcast with a soul-stirring rendition.

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