Lewis' vocals span from F 3 to G 4 in the song. 'I Love You Always Forever' is written in the key of C major in common time with a tempo of 104 beats per minute. The chorus, 'I love you always forever, near and far closer together', is a quote taken directly from the book. The song was originally titled 'Lydia', but was later changed because there was no mention of anyone with that name in the song. Inspired by the novel Love for Lydia by English author H.В E.В Bates, 'I Love You Always Forever' is a pop song in which the singer declares her endless love for her significant other. In 2016, a cover version of the song by Australian pop singer Betty Who peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart and topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The success of the song saw Lewis nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Female Artist in 1997.

It was certified Platinum in Australia and Gold in France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the UK, and the US. The single additionally reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart for eleven weeks and the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart for eight weeks. In the US, the song rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for nine weeks, behind Los del RГo's ' Macarena'. The song was a commercial hit, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in more than 15 countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Ireland, and Norway. Bates' novel Love for Lydia, from which the chorus is taken. Written by Lewis and produced by Lewis and Kevin Killen, it was released as the album's lead single in the United States on and in the United Kingdom on 26 August 1996. ' I Love You Always Forever' is the debut single by Welsh singer Donna Lewis from her debut album, Now in a Minute (1996).