On 21 August 1989, Garth Brooks released "If Tomorrow Never Comes" as the second single from his self-titled debut album, a song that became his first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and remains a staple of his concerts nearly four decades later. Although its music video suggests a story about a father's love for his daughter, Brooks has clarified it is actually about a husband ensuring his wife knows he loved her should anything happen to him, making it one of his most frequently misunderstood hits.

The song also played a pivotal role in launching Brooks' career before it was even recorded. He co-wrote it with Kent Blazy after struggling to find a collaborator who understood his vision, but the pair spent about a year pitching it around Nashville without success, and Brooks himself was rejected by every major label. A chance last-minute performance at the Bluebird Cafe changed everything: Capitol Records' Linda Schultz, who had already passed on him three times, heard something in the song and invited him back, leading directly to his record deal.