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)
Five O'Clock 500
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walkin' out the door headin' home
It's time to buckle up again in my rolling hunk of tin
It's quittin' time the evenin' race is on
It's that five o'clock 500 and I run it every day
Pick up trucks, cars and buses all in my way
We've got Darrel, we've got Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty and Jeff
It's that five o'clock 500 every day
Oh, Bubba's runnin' right on my bumper
Pushin' me but there's no where to go
Lane changin' left and right, blowin' horns and blinkin' lights
Oh, the fast lane has never been so slow
It's that five o'clock 500 and I run it every day
Pick up trucks, cars and buses all in my way
We've got Darrel, we've got Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty and Jeff
Oh, the boss just dropped the green we're on our way
It's that five o'clock 500 every day
Well, the caution is out we're at a stand still
Heard there's construction up ahead
Won't be long so they say, soon we'll all be on our way
Some trucker on the CB just said
It's that five o'clock 500 and I run it every day
Pick up trucks, cars and buses all in my way
We've got Darrel, we've got Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty and Jeff
Oh, the boss just dropped the green we're on our way
It's that five o'clock 500, five o'clock 500, five o'clock 500 every day
Every day, every day, every day
Five o'clock 500
The Alabama song "Five O'Clock 500" is a fun and catchy tune that essentially speaks to the experiences of daily commuting. The singer has just finished a day of work, and he is eager to go home. He gets into his car, ready for the race that is the evening commute, which he refers to as the "five o'clock 500." Along the way, the singer has to navigate through heavy traffic, which includes trucks, cars, and buses - all obstacles to reaching his ultimate goal, which is getting home. The lyrics mention a few famous racers, such as Darrel, Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty, and Jeff, to further emphasize the competitive nature of the drive home.
Line by Line Meaning
Just punched the clock and boy, am I ready?
I have just finished my work and I am enthusiastic to go home.
Walkin' out the door headin' home
I am leaving the workplace and going back home.
It's time to buckle up again in my rolling hunk of tin
I need to fasten my seatbelt as I ride in my car.
It's quittin' time the evenin' race is on
It's time to leave work and drive home quickly.
It's that five o'clock 500 and I run it every day
Every day at 5 o'clock, I participate in a race while driving home.
Pick up trucks, cars and buses all in my way
There are different types of vehicles blocking my path.
We've got Darrel, we've got Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty and Jeff
These are names of people who may be participating in the race.
Oh, the boss just dropped the green we're on our way
Someone in charge gave the signal to start racing.
Oh, Bubba's runnin' right on my bumper
A person named Bubba is driving very close to my car.
Pushin' me but there's no where to go
Bubba's car is forcing me to remain in the same lane.
Lane changin' left and right, blowin' horns and blinkin' lights
The other drivers are honking and changing lanes frequently.
Oh, the fast lane has never been so slow
Even though I'm in the fast lane, I'm not able to drive fast.
Well, the caution is out we're at a stand still
Now, we are stopped because of a warning or hazard.
Heard there's construction up ahead
I'm aware that there's a construction site on the road ahead.
Won't be long so they say, soon we'll all be on our way
People are saying that it won't take much time before we can continue driving.
Some trucker on the CB just said
A truck driver on the CB radio just made an announcement.
It's that five o'clock 500, five o'clock 500, five o'clock 500 every day
The race happens every day at 5 o'clock.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RANDY OWEN, RONNIE ROGERS, TEDDY GENTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnGadzaJr.
I love this song by Alabama and it is the greatest even though it was not released as a single. Here are some fun facts about it. This song along with "Keepin' Up" and "How Do You Fall In Love" were the three new songs recorded for a new two disc greatest hits package titled For The Record: 41 Number One Hits that was released in 1998. During those times, Alabama did not have any new studio albums to record, release or promote in the 1998 year so they only recorded three new songs instead. I have this For The Record album on CD but it is under a new reissue and different look. Here is what I mean by that. Way back in 2005, For the Record was re-released, reissued and re-packaged as The Essential. When it comes to the original release of For The Record as well as that new re-release and reissue of The Essential, both of those compilation albums have an identical track lineup. If anyone buys The Essential by Alabama on CD, a disclaimer on the back of the album indicates that The Essential is indeed the newly reissued For the Record. So I have The Essential version of For The Record album on CD and it is great. Between the labels of RCA Records, BMG and Legacy Recordings, they did a wonderful job when it came to re-packaging For The Record album as The Essential. With that new album title, it definitely eliminates the misleading subtitle in which it once claimed that all of the songs hit number one which was not true. For The Record: 41 Number One Hits may have been a great title at one time for a new two disc greatest hits package released back in 1998 but it was also misleading in many ways. The former title had also implied that the album had 41 songs when it really had 44. One of the wonderful things about The Essential Alabama is that it acknowledges that it was formerly available as For the Record so that most fans will likely not be duped into buying the same album for a second time. Years and years ago back in the 2000s when I was still a little boy, my dad and I used to have a magazine subscription to Columbia House where you can order music on CDs, cassettes and what not. For The Record by Alabama was on the list in that magazine and my dad had once tried to order it for me. They said that the record label at RCA didn't make it anymore as it was completely sold out. It turns out that the original release of For The Record album from 1998 was certified platinum by the RIAA when it sold 5 million units altogether. A few years later in the mid 2000s or so, I finally found The Essential album on CD and it was definitely a new reissue of For The Record that I was looking for. I still have it to this day and it is awesome. Otherwise, The Essential Alabama is now a definitive collection containing every one of their greatest hits collection in one concise and entertaining package. So these are all of the fun facts that I wanted to give. Basically, The Essential album can still be bought brand new on CD at the Amazon website to this day today as it is still available if anyone is interested. I will provide the link below this comment. For those who had missed the chance of buying the original For The Record album on CD back in 1998, now is your chance to buy The Essential album on CD that was released in 2005 as the newly reissued For The Record and it is still available on Amazon like I said. In my honest opinion, The Essential is way better than the original For The Record as it is wonderful for a new reissue and so on. Here is the link and have a great day, everyone. Best of luck to all of you Alabama fans out there.
The Essential CD:
https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Alabama/dp/B0009A3ZH6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=84IN0PB3S4F&keywords=The+Essential+Alabama&qid=1656132791&sprefix=the+essential+alabama%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1
@jonathandrewstefancin5924
I love the band Alabama.
@spongebelt
This brings me back to the good ol days of NASCAR!
@johnjackson6696
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALABAMA IN CONCERT.
@leepesca6745
Who could not like Alabama
@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet
Perfect!
@michaelbeach9694
God bless Alabama I love this song
@bluejay111131
love this song
@MissRailfan
Love this song!!
@duanedraffin8812
The most underrated song in America😁