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)
Feels so Right
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breathe words upon my skin
No one's near and listening
So please don't say goodbye
Just hold me close and love me
Press your lips to mine
Mmm feels so right, feels so right
I hear the echoes of your sighs
Promise me you'll stay with me
And keep me warm tonight
So hold me close and love me
Give my heart a smile
Mmm feels so right, feels so right
Your body feels so gentle
And my passion rises high
You're loving me so easy
Your wish is my command
Just hold me close and love me
Tell me it won't end
Mmm feels so right, feels so right
Feels so right
Ah, you feel so right baby
The lyrics to Alabama's song "Feels so Right" are a beautiful expression of love and desire between two people who have found a perfect moment of intimacy and passion. The song describes a moment in which two peoples' bodies and emotions are completely in sync, as the singer whispers to their lover to hold them close and breathe words upon their skin. The intimacy in this moment is heightened by the sense that nobody else is nearby, creating a private space for the lovers to indulge in the sensations they are feeling.
The song describes the singer's desire to stay close to their lover and keep them warm throughout the night, promising to make them smile and feel good. The singer marvels at the gentle touch of their lover's body and the ease with which they are able to give themselves over to each other's wishes. It is a moment of pure bliss, in which the singer feels completely at peace in their lover's arms.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being completely in sync with someone on a physical and emotional level. It is a beautiful expression of the wonder and joy that exists in a loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Whisper to me softly, breathe words upon my skin
Speak to me lovingly, feel my presence and express your emotions through touch.
No one's near and listening, so please don't say goodbye
No one is around to interrupt our union, so promise me this moment won't end.
Just hold me close and love me, press your lips to mine
Embrace me tightly and show me your affection through a kiss.
Mmm feels so right. Feels so right.
This connection we share is perfect and fulfilling.
Lying here beside you I hear the echoes of your sighs
Being next to you allows me to understand your thoughts and emotions.
Promise me you'll stay with me and keep me warm tonight
Ensure me that you will remain with me, and provide me with comfort throughout the night.
Give my heart a smile
Provide me with happiness and contentment.
Your body feels so gentle and my passion rises high
I am overwhelmed with intense feelings of desire through your loving touch.
You're loving me so easy, you're wish is my command
You show me affection with ease, and allow me to fulfill your desires.
Tell me it won't end
Reassure me that this connection will continue.
Ah, you feel so right baby...
I feel complete and satisfied with our union.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Randy Owen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chevy2003ism
Whisper to me softly, breathe words upon my skin
No one's near and listening, so please don't say goodbye
Just hold me close and love me, press your lips to mine
Mmm feels so right. Feels so right.
Lying here beside you I hear the echoes of your sighs
Promise me you'll stay with me and keep me warm tonight
So hold me close and love me, give my heart a smile
Mmm feels so right. Feels so right.
Your body feels so gentle and my passion rises high
You're loving me so easy, you're wish is my command
Just hold me close and love me, tell me it won't end
Mmm feels so right. Feels so right.
Feels so right.
Ah, you feel so right baby...
@connieroberson3814
I drove a 18 wheeler with my husband back in the 80’s & 90’s. Needless to say we pulled over several times because of Alabama songs!!!! Great memories! He passed away in Feb of this year but we had 50 years together & we made them count!
@andreasams3986
You go girl i hope i find that same love one day
@janetlw
So very sorry for the loss of your husband. Hope your doing better. 💓
@kennethcarroll5420
thank you for helping keep this great nation running, may god keep you safe, sorry for your loss
@annkarinbruaset7066
Happy to hear you two made those years count,,Thats love,Hope you find a new love someday,
@kathyharrington546
You was so blessed. 🌹💖🙏
@vickidaniel7604
I wish that Country Music was still like this. One of my favorite groups.
@LinkRocks
It's funny that you say that. When this song came out people were saying, "I wish country music was still like it was before." This was considered too pop for traditional country fans.
@roxannewilliams5609
me too!!!!
@bobbynewton4158
I love this song.❤❤