Alan Jackson entered the country music world in 1989 and helped to reshape the genre for the next decade. At a time when pop production and the Urban Cowboy sound were all the rage, Jackson’s sound was pure traditional country gold. 35 years and 16 studio albums later, he’s still making rock-solid country music.
Videos by American Songwriter
Today (October 17) is Jackson’s 66th birthday. To celebrate, we’re looking back at some of his biggest hits and best-loved songs.
[On This Day in 1993, Alan Jackson Scored a No. 1 Hit with His Signature Song “Chattahoochee”]
“I’d Love You All Over Again”—Alan Jackson’s First No. 1 Single
Alan Jackson wrote “I’d Love You All Over Again” and released it as the fifth and final single from his 1990 debut album Here in the Real World. It was the first of 26 singles that the Georgia native would send to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The song is from the perspective of a man who is celebrating ten years of marriage and would gladly go back and do it all over again. He wrote the song for his wife, Denise. They tied the knot in 1979 and he wrote the song in 1989 while on tour in Arkansas.
“Chattahoochee”—‘90s Country at Its Finest
Ask a country music fan what song comes to mind when they think of ‘90s country. More often than not, “Chattahoochee” will be their answer. It’s an upbeat and fun track that is the perfect addition to any summer playlist. On top of that, the video is nothing short of iconic.
Alan Jackson co-wrote the song with Jim McBride. He released it in 1993 as the third single from his album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love). It was a No. 1 hit and won both Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the CMA Awards.
“Tall, Tall Trees”—Alan Jackson’s Nod to George Jones
From a defiant performance of “Choices” at the 1999 CMA Awards to namedropping him in multiple songs, Alan Jackson has paid tribute to George Jones several times throughout his career. When it came time to select songs for his 1995 album The Greatest Hits Collection, Jackson did it again.
“This is an old Roger Miller song I stumbled across. It’s a real fun song with a Cajun feel,” Jackson wrote in the album’s liner notes. “I’ve always been a big fan of Roger’s and when it came time to record a couple of new songs for the greatest hits, I couldn’t resist. After I recorded it, we found out that George Jones was a co-writer—I think George had even forgotten he’d written it. I’m proud to have the chance to record a song written by two of my favorites,” he added.
“Tall, Tall Trees” was the lead single from The Greatest Hits Collection and went to No. 1.
“Midnight in Montgomery”—A Country Music Ghost Story
Alan Jackson co-wrote “Midnight in Montgomery” with Don Sampson. He released it in 1992 as the fourth single from his sophomore album Don’t Rock the Jukebox. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. However, despite not going to No. 1, it remains a favorite among Jackson’s fans. It’s also a perfect addition to any spooky country playlist this time of year.
The song tells of a meeting with the ghost of Hank Williams at his grave in Montgomery, Alabama. The spirit who seemed drunk and wore a cowboy hat, shiny boots, and a Nudie suit, shows his appreciation for the visit before disappearing. The track includes references to a handful of Williams’ songs.
Featured Image by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
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