Behind the Song: If That Isn’t Love

If That Isn’t Love is another song that often runs through my heart. This is a song that I accompanied Daddy on many times and have performed myself on numerous occasions.

If That Isn’t Love was written by Dottie Rambo. Rambo wrote over 2500 songs including hits such as

Dottie Rambo and .

He Looked Beyond My Fault, Sheltered in the Arms of God, Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome {In this Place}, Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of that City, Behold the Lamb and We Shall Behold Him.

Dottie Rambo was born as Joyce Reba Luttrell was born on March 2, 1934 in Madisonville, Kentucky.

Growing up in poverty, she developed a love for country music. She learned to play the guitar by listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and wrote her first song at the age of eight.

At the age of twelve, she gave her life to Christ and began to sing Christian music. Four years later, she met and married Buck Rambo.

Buck and Dottie began traveling the country and singing under several different group names, including The Gospel Echoes, The Rambos and The Singing Rambos.

In the 1960s, Dottie Rambo began to make a name for herself as a songwriter. She worked with and performed for and with many high profile preacher’s and musicians. Numerous musicians have recorded her songs through the years.

If That Isn’t Love

If That Isn’t Love was copyrighted in 1969. Dottie Rambo released the song on her album, Sheltered.

If That Isn’t Love talks about the love God has for us, from leaving his place in heaven to dying on the cross for our sins to remembering the thief hanging beside him. The chorus, shares that if what God did isn’t love than “the ocean is dry, there are no stars in the sky, and the sparrow can’t fly.” It goes on to say, “If that isn’t love then heaven’s a myth and there’s no feeling like this if that isn’t love.”

In 1974, Elvis Presley released If That Isn’t Love on his album, Good Times.

She continued to travel, write and sing throughout the remainder of her life, even after becoming partially disabled in 1987 due to paralysis of her left leg.

In 1994, Dottie and Buck divorced.

She received numerous honors in her lifetime including winning a Grammy, three GMA Dove Awards, and being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

On May 11, 2008 Dottie Rambo died as a result of a bus accident outside Mount Vernon, Missouri.

 

7 comments

  • Linda Covington

    I just heard the Isaacs sing “if that isn’t love” and was moved to really bad.tears. I’ve heard this song many times over the years but I was never moved like I was today. I had never. Researched anything before but today I had to know who wrote such beautiful words. And when I found out it was Dottie Rambo I said, ” I should have known.” I use to watch that family on t. V. Many years.ago and loved their.beautiful voices and their writing. After all, she wrote ” he.looked.beyond my faults and saw my needs.” Which is another of my favorites. I will continue to listen to her songs hoping to be blessed once again with her beautiful words.

  • Sue

    A very moving and beautiful song . It brings me to tears every time I hear it
    I listen to Elvis’s gospel music almost every Sunday. What a beautiful and spiritual man he was.

  • N J Pope

    Love this song. I heard Dottie Rambo in Florence, SC many years ago (in the late 60s) as she stood on the trailer of a Semi along with Florida Boys and others. What a great blessing she was to so many young Christians. Now pastor and will be sharing the words to this song on Sunday December 18 for the advent Sunday with reference of Love.

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