The band was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wild Country, the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and began writing original songs. They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and following the chart success of two singles, were approached by RCA Nashville for a record deal.
Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 #1 hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River", began a streak of 21 #1 singles, including "Love in the First Degree" (1981), "Mountain Music" (1982), "Dixieland Delight" (1983), "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (1984) and "Song of the South" (1988). The band's popularity waned slightly in the 1990s although they continued to produce hit singles and multi-platinum album sales. Alabama disbanded in 2004 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.
Owen was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, but he was later given a clean bill of health, which led to the band's reunion, without Herndon. Following a series of tornadoes destroying homes and businesses throughout their state in 2011, Alabama assembled a benefit concert in Birmingham, called Bama Rising. Featuring the band's first set since 2004, alongside Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley, the concert raised $2.1 million. "I guess we realized that maybe we missed the playing ... and five or six years had gone by and we were like, 'Maybe that wasn't as bad as we remember it being,'" said Gentry. In celebration of the group's 40th anniversary, Alabama resumed touring in 2013 for the Back to the Bowery tour, referencing the Myrtle Beach club where they first became professional musicians. They also undertook a short cruise, The Alabama & Friends Festival at Sea, which left for the Bahamas on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl ship. In addition, the band released Alabama & Friends, a tribute album encompassing covers from newer artists such as Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, in addition to two new tracks by Alabama.
The band released their first new studio album in 14 years, Southern Drawl, on September 18, 2015, via BMG Chrysalis. In 2016, Alabama was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You" that celebrates 50 years of the CMA Awards.
In April 2017, guitarist Jeff Cook announced in a video that he would reduce the number of shows for which he would be in attendance while the band was on tour, due to his struggle with Parkinson's. He had been diagnosed four years prior, and this was his first public announcement about his condition.
In August 2021, the band sold its interest in its recorded music rights catalog to Reservoir Media. Cook died from complications of Parkinson's disease on November 7, 2022.
The band's blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and "sets" inspired by rock concerts into their shows.
Alabama was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019 and were awarded with the first ever Life Time Achievement Award from this institution.
The members of Alabama are:
- Randy Owen (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)
- Teddy Gentry (bass guitar and backing vocals)
Can't Keep a Good Man Down
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought it would last
Gotta try to make it
A page of my past
You didn't even say goodbye
When you slammed that door
Now I'm lyin' here alone
Trying to forget
All the cruel words you said
All the radio was playing
What once was our favorite song
Oh enough is enough I won't take anymore
I'm picking myself up off the floor
'Cause you can't keep a good man down
You can't keep a good man down
Oh no you can't keep a good man down
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
Gonna dress up in my finest
Clothes that I own
And take it to the streets
I won't be lonely for long
Gonna put on my best moves
On every single woman I see
Now you thought you could break me
Add me to your list
Notch me on your gun
Let me tell you this
I've got news for you baby
I don't break that easily
'Cause you can't keep a good man down
You can't keep a good man down
Oh no you can't keep a good man down
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
I'll be out there on the scene
Hangin' with my friends
This world's gonna see
Me smilin' again
I'm taking some time
To erase you from my memory
Don't write any letters
Don't call me on the phone
Don't knock on my door
Cause to you I'm not at home
I know there's a woman out there
For a man like me
'Cause you can't keep a good man down
You can't keep a good man down
Oh no you can't keep a good man down
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
Oh enough is enough I won't take anymore
I'm picking myself up off the floor
'Cause you can't keep a good man down
Baby, you can't keep a good man down
Honey, you can't keep a good man down
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
The lyrics of Alabama's song "Can't Keep a Good Man Down" are about a man who has been left by his partner and is trying to move on from the relationship. He thought the relationship would last forever but was suddenly left alone without even a goodbye. The song talks about his struggle to forget the cruel words that were said and the memories of what was once a happy relationship. Despite the pain he has gone through, he will not be broken by the experience.
The man decides to dress up in his finest clothes and take to the streets to meet new women. He is determined to find someone who will appreciate him for who he is and, in doing so, erase the memory of his past lover. He knows that there is someone out there for him and will not be discouraged by his past experience. The song is ultimately about moving on from a broken relationship and finding hope in new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought it was forever
I believed our love was everlasting
I thought it would last
I imagined it would always endure
Gotta try to make it
I must make an effort to overcome this heartache
A page of my past
This will be a memory of the past
You didn't even say goodbye
You departed without a farewell
When you slammed that door
As you violently shut the door
Now I'm lyin' here alone
I'm here all by myself
In what once was our bed
On the bed where we used to sleep
Trying to forget
I'm making an attempt to erase
All the cruel words you said
Your awful words that you uttered
All the radio was playing
The radio was playing our favorite tunes
What once was our favorite song
The song we always sang together
Oh enough is enough I won't take anymore
I can't take any more of this
I'm picking myself up off the floor
I'll gather myself and stand up
'Cause you can't keep a good man down
I'm a strong person who can't be defeated easily
You can't keep a good man down
You can't keep someone with resilience down
Oh no you can't keep a good man down
I cannot be subdued
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
You cannot defeat an impressive person like me!
Gonna dress up in my finest
I will wear my best clothes
Clothes that I own
The best of my outfits
And take it to the streets
I will go out to the road
I won't be lonely for long
I won't be lonely for much longer
Gonna put on my best moves
I'll carry out all my tricks
On every single woman I see
I'll put on a show for every woman I see
Now you thought you could break me
You believed you could harm me
Add me to your list
Add me to the roster of those you defeated
Notch me on your gun
Record me among your victories
Let me tell you this
But I have a message for you
I've got news for you baby
I have tidings for you
I don't break that easily
I'm not fragile or vulnerable
I'll be out there on the scene
I'll be out on the street
Hangin' with my friends
Spending time with my buddies
This world's gonna see
Everyone will witness
Me smilin' again
Me, finding happiness once again
I'm taking some time
I'm spending some quality time
To erase you from my memory
Trying to remove your memory from my mind
Don't write any letters
Please don't write me letters
Don't call me on the phone
Don't attempt to call me
Don't knock on my door
Please don't come knocking on my door
Cause to you I'm not at home
Don't expect me to welcome you
I know there's a woman out there
I believe there's a woman out there
For a man like me
Who will be interested in someone like me
Baby, you can't keep a good man down
I'm beyond your suppression
Honey, you can't keep a good man down
You cannot prevent a strong person from succeeding
Sugar, you can't keep a good man down
You cannot defeat someone who has tenacity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB CORBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vollinaadkins8118
Nodd on it, ...
+++((( https://youtu.be/XizX30CqCSM )))+++
The Bonding fiber an Engery of the T(he)if (in) W(holy)Spirit of all of all Paridice +(I)+ Absloutly Positivily am of a +x(At)om Man (Eve)olved)o+ crossing an bonding is the Engery of the shape form an mass of (Eve)rybody of (Eve)ryhing an is the Absloute Good Truth of God all of all Reality check only crossing Bigger an Better then all of all negitivity so thanks again four this window of opertuinty two (Steal your blind faith the only missy an death of you) restance is futile crook the rest of the spot latter, 😀...
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxxvBg1S_QqL9RQbJ5dWnIoryRAoSWbSk
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=942167073213570&substory_index=0&id=100022608586239
+++((( https://youtu.be/H8ofhjI6ODc )))+++
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gcm7YdJd9ZdA6gfp6
@MidnightVentures
Probably one of the most underrated catchy feel good songs of the 80's. This helped get me through some tough breakups.
@LinkRocks
Underrated? It was a big hit for them, it reached #1.
@Roy-zt2kl
miss it
@jasminedowney2651
Alabama music is just as it always was, never gets old !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@briangleason5597
Alabama, i grew up on this music, and at 40, love it even more.
@cindyquick5835
Utube
@matthewbrewer3855
I'm 15 and love this stuff I hope to one day be a good man
@kimburgess3556
100%
@darrenthibadeaux5435
I agree 💯
@williestrain5416
This song is better everytime i listen to it , i could never tire of hearing this classic , JULY 2021 LOVE ALABAMA