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)
Dancin
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well the magic attic's where the music rolls
And the army-navy's got ol' jackie soul
Down on peaches corner there are good ol' boys
And mother fletchers makin' lots of noise
They're dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
And the drifters underneath the boardwalk
At the sapnish galleon and ol' fat jacks
Jukebox playin' and the place is packed
You bet they're dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
You know they're dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Got the top down and the traffic's slow
Sun fun week and, we all go
Where the girls are sunnin' and lookin' good
Well i never met 'em but i wish i could
And we'd go dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
We'd go dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Well the embers singin' up on ocean drive
And the castaways are gettin' loud tonight
At the electric circus they all getin' down
And the carousel's spinnin' round and 'round
See them dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
I see 'em dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Well i'm hangin out down at sloppy joes
They may doze but they never close
And the bama boys at the bowery
They can't dance but they play for free
But they like dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
They know dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
They wrote dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Shaggin' on the boulevard
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The lyrics of Alabama's song, "Dancin' and Shaggin' on the Boulevard," describes the lively atmosphere of a social hub where people gather to dance and have a good time. The first verse mentions several places where music and dance are present, such as the Magic Attic, Army-Navy, Peaches Corner, and Mother Fletcher's. These places are famous for being meeting spots for good old boys, and people gather to dance and have a good time. The chorus emphasizes the main idea of the song, which is the thrill of dancing and shagging on the boulevard. It refers to the blissful feeling that comes with being surrounded by people who are dancing to the music and feeling the rhythm in their heart.
The second verse describes more places where people are enjoying the music and dancing their hearts out. The Tams are playing at the Port-o-Call, and The Drifters are on the boardwalk. Spanish Galleon and Ol' Fat Jacks' Jukebox are also mentioned, where people gather in large numbers to enjoy the music and dance. The third verse is more personal and describes how the singer and his friends are enjoying the sun and good vibes while driving on the street. The girls are sunning, and everyone is looking good. The song's final verse mentions several places that are popular for their music and dance, such as Sloppy Joe's, The Bowery, and Electric Circus.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the magic attic's where the music rolls
The music is played at the Magic Attic
And the army-navy's got ol' jackie soul
Jackie Soul can be found at Army-Navy
Down on peaches corner there are good ol' boys
There are good old boys at Peaches Corner
And mother fletchers makin' lots of noise
Mother Fletcher is causing a commotion
They're dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
People are dancing and shagging on the boulevard
Well the tams are playin' at the port-o-call
The Tams are performing at the Port-o-Call
And the drifters underneath the boardwalk
The Drifters are under the boardwalk
At the sapnish galleon and ol' fat jacks
Spanish Galleon and Fat Jacks are also popular spots
Jukebox playin' and the place is packed
The jukebox is playing and the place is crowded
You bet they're dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
They are definitely dancing and shagging on the boulevard
Got the top down and the traffic's slow
Traffic is slow and the top of the car is down
Sun fun week and, we all go
Everyone is having a good time in the sun
Where the girls are sunnin' and lookin' good
Where attractive girls are sunbathing
Well i never met 'em but i wish i could
The singer wishes he could meet these girls
And we'd go dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The two would go dancing and shagging on the boulevard
Well the embers singin' up on ocean drive
The Embers are singing on Ocean Drive
And the castaways are gettin' loud tonight
The Castaways are making a lot of noise tonight
At the electric circus they all getin' down
Everyone is dancing at the Electric Circus
And the carousel's spinnin' round and 'round
The carousel is spinning around and around
See them dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The singer observed people dancing and shagging on the boulevard
Well i'm hangin out down at sloppy joes
The singer is hanging out at Sloppy Joe's
They may doze but they never close
Sloppy Joe's may slow down but never closes
And the bama boys at the bowery
The Bama boys can be found at the Bowery
They can't dance but they play for free
The Bama boys may not be good at dancing, but they play for free
But they like dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The Bama boys enjoy dancing and shagging on the boulevard
They know dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The Bama boys are familiar with dancing and shagging on the boulevard
They wrote dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
The Bama boys were responsible for writing the song 'Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard'
Dancin', shaggin' on the boulevard
People are enjoying themselves by dancing and shagging on the boulevard
Shaggin' on the boulevard
The popular dance 'shagging' is being enjoyed by people on the boulevard
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GREG FOWLER, RANDY OWEN, TEDDY GENTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Kinard
As one of the dancers in this video, I love reading all the comments. Life was simple back then. Hang out with friends, dance on the weekends. It was pure and it was fun. Love seeing how this song takes everybody back to a simpler time.
Rhonda Boncutter
Oh, definately! Takes me back!
sumrica
Looks like everybody had dancing shoes.
Timothy Lewis
It was a wonderful time! Let me say all the dancers were great!
Mary Wood
This is a treasure to watch. Takes me back to better, kinder times
david M. Woolard
Thank you for this I am 62 and still love this video. The song is good but video is great. Beach music forever!!!!
Vincent Kern
Thanks Alabama for many years of GREAT music.
Hot Rod Dad
Needed an escape from the world today, and looked up this song. I loved it when it came out, and played it often. It’s just like an old friend I haven’t seen in years. Thank you Alabama!
Rhonda Boncutter
Had the VHS video of The Shag, was so good wore it out! Still love this song! I know what ya, mean, an oldie and good friend!
Rhonda Boncutter
I loved the movie and loved this song! Good taste in music! Enjoy!