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)
Fallin' Again
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back when I was young and green
I was falling back then
Now I'm workin' on building a fire
And flirtin' with that ol' desire
And fallin' again into the wind
I fall in love again, I'm fallin' again
Well you'd think that I would learn by now
But I'm fallin' again
'Cause when I caught that look in your eyes
That's when I realized
I was fallin' again into the wind
I fall in love again
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
I fall in love again
Fallin' again into the wind
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
I fall in love again
Fallin' again into the wind
The lyrics of “Fallin' Again” by Alabama depicts the singer's realization of his recurring pattern of falling in love with someone new again. The opening lines of the song "Thinking of the faces I've seen, Back when I was young and green" hints at the singer's past experiences of falling in love, back when he was inexperienced and naive. He appears to be reminiscing about his younger days and the people he fell in love with. However, he says he is "workin' on building a fire" and "flirtin' with that ol' desire," suggesting he is now looking to fall in love with someone new again.
The chorus of the song "I fall in love again, I'm fallin' again" indicates the singer's acceptance of his recurring pattern of falling in love, even though he acknowledges his history of falling and getting hurt. The line "Well you'd think that I would learn by now, To keep from falling somehow" portrays the singer admitting his past mistakes and lack of learning to avoid repeating it. However, when he met someone new, he realized that he was "fallin' again into the wind," indicating that he cannot control his emotions, and is now falling in love once again.
Overall, the song seems to be a confession from the singer about his struggle with the pattern of falling in love with people over and over again. It shows his acceptance of his lack of control over this uncontrollable feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking of the faces I've seen
Reflecting on my past and remembering the people I have encountered
Back when I was young and green
During a time when I was inexperienced and naive
I was falling back then
I was in love and falling for someone during that youthful time
Now I'm workin' on building a fire
Currently focusing on building and improving my passion for something
And flirtin' with that ol' desire
I am experiencing a familiar longing or craving
And fallin' again into the wind
Finding myself falling once more for someone or something, unsure of where it may take me
I fall in love again, I'm fallin' again
I am experiencing the same pattern of falling in love all over again
Well you'd think that I would learn by now
One may assume that past experiences would serve as a cautionary tale and prevent future falls
To keep from falling somehow
To avoid an inevitable fall or to resist giving in to temptation
But I'm fallin' again
Despite past experience, I am falling once more
'Cause when I caught that look in your eyes
The moment when I see a particular look in someone's eyes that draws me in and causes me to fall
That's when I realized
I become fully aware of my feelings, desires, and vulnerability
I was fallin' again into the wind
I am falling for someone or something with no control over it
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
Going through the same cycle of falling in love once again
I fall in love again
Experiencing the feeling of falling in love again
Fallin' again into the wind
Falling helplessly, not sure where this fall may take me
Fall, fall, fall, fallin' again
Repeatedly experiencing the same cycle of falling in love time and time again
I fall in love again
Experiencing the feeling of falling in love again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREG FOWLER, RANDY OWEN, TEDDY GENTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Niemiera
Love Alabama, they were constantly on the radio when I was a little kid riding in my parents car. Hearing these songs make me feel good and bring me back to that time.
Mandi Kiser
Damn they don't make music like this anymore!!!!
D Wade
Alabama is a perfect example of taking Country music to different levels through the decades with out compromising its integrity.
greenroomglass
I love the 7:44 long-version of this track. Good musicianship, beautiful song too.
Kayla Rodriguez
Still the number one country band
Kayla Rodriguez
100% agree with you!
TX-K
Alabama is my all time fav too!!! they will always be the number one country band!!
Janelle Combs
I was 5 when this song came out and I remember sitting in the backseat absolutely loving it! I still blast my radio and feel the excitement when I hear those first few chords!!!
chevellejack
Thanks for posting this song. I was 24 when this came out, now I'm 45. I thought those feelings were just youth, and a whole life ahead. Now that I hear this song again, it makes me look up in the sky and take a deep breath. Still makes the hair on my neck stand up. Thanks again, great song.
Pamoguerami Morales
I like your music. I have been lessoning to your music since I was in High School. I like music because it's relaxing for me. God bless you and your family. Please keep singing for a long time. I believe in God and angels everyday of my life.