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)
Forty Hour Week
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay
And it's time a few of them were recognized
Hello Detroit auto workers, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin'
Just to send it on down the line
You work a forty hour week for a livin'
Just to send it on down the line
This is for the one who swings the hammer, driving home the nail
Or the one behind the counter, ringing up the sale
Or the one who fights the fires, the one who brings the mail
For everyone who works behind the scenes
You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields
In the city streets and the quiet country towns
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
They keep this country turning around
Hello Kansas wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin'
Just to send it on down the line
Hello West Virginia coal miner, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin'
Just to send it on down the line
This is for the one who drives the big rig, up and down the road
Or the one out in the warehouse, bringing in the load
Or the waitress, the mechanic, the policeman on patrol
For everyone who works behind the scenes
With a spirit you can't replace with no machine
Hello America let me thank you for your time
"Forty Hour Week" by Alabama is a tribute to the hard-working people of America who dedicate themselves to their jobs and their families. The opening lyrics pay homage to those who work tirelessly day after day, not for personal gain, but for the greater good. The song highlights the fact that these individuals are not always given the appreciation they deserve, and it's time they were recognized.
The song goes on to specifically acknowledge workers in various industries, including auto workers in Detroit, steel mill workers in Pittsburgh, farmers in Kansas, and coal miners in West Virginia. It speaks to the collective effort of all those who work "behind the scenes," who are the backbone of the country.
The catchy chorus, "Hello America let me thank you for your time," serves as a unifying message that brings it all together. The song acknowledges the humanity and spirit of these workers that cannot be replaced by machines.
Overall, "Forty Hour Week" is an uplifting tribute that speaks to the importance of hard work and dedication. It recognizes the often-overlooked contributions of everyday people and serves as a reminder that they are the true heart of America.
Line by Line Meaning
There are people in this country who work hard every day
There are individuals in this nation who endeavor daily with great diligence
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
Their reasons for working hard are not for personal recognition or material gains
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay
The end result of their hard work is far more valuable than the compensation they receive
And it's time a few of them were recognized
It is about time that these diligent individuals receive the recognition they deserve
Hello Detroit auto workers, let me thank you for your time
Greetings to the auto-industry employees in Detroit; allow me to express my gratitude for your efforts
You work a forty hour week for a livin'
You put in forty hours of work every week to make a living
Just to send it on down the line
In order to send the products or services you've created further down the supply chain
This is for the one who swings the hammer, driving home the nail
This is dedicated to those individuals who diligently use a hammer to drive nails into wood
Or the one behind the counter, ringing up the sale
Or the person behind the register, counting the items that have been purchased
Or the one who fights the fires, the one who brings the mail
Or that individual who works as a firefighter or the one who delivers mail to our doorstep
For everyone who works behind the scenes
This is for all the individuals working in the background, beyond the public eye
You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields
You can witness these individuals daily at work in factories and fields
In the city streets and the quiet country towns
In bustling metropolitan areas as well as serene residential neighborhoods
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
Working in harmony, like the spokes that keep a wheel turning
They keep this country turning around
These individuals contribute to the smooth functionality and progression of this nation
Hello Kansas wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time
Greetings to the farmer harvesting wheat fields in Kansas; allow me to express my gratitude for your efforts
Hello West Virginia coal miner, let me thank you for your time
Greetings to the coal miner working in West Virginia; allow me to express my gratitude for your efforts
This is for the one who drives the big rig, up and down the road
This is dedicated to those individuals who drive heavy trucks and transport goods
Or the one out in the warehouse, bringing in the load
Or those who work in the warehouse, bringing in shipments of goods
Or the waitress, the mechanic, the policeman on patrol
Or those who work in food service, as mechanics, or those policing the streets
For everyone who works behind the scenes
This is for all the individuals working in the background, beyond the public eye
With a spirit you can't replace with no machine
With a willpower that cannot be replicated by machinery
Hello America let me thank you for your time
Greetings to the people of America; allow me to express my gratitude for your efforts
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Loggins, Don Schlitz, Lisa Miriam Silver
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Henegar
I work in a Call Center for a chain of truck stops. I talk to truckers every day...you guys are our unsung heroes. Thank you for all you do
Stephen P
We need more songs like this on the radio.
Ray Burnett
Amen ,Stephen,not this new craps they have
Patrick Owen
Amen to that
Shawn Snowdeal
Definitely do!!
An Who that Nation rant
@Shawn Snowdeal in fact any radio playing any kind music (iucuding that trash music that kids and teens love) sound play this everyday.
Ford1948
It would be called racist.
Ashley Vonier
As a waitress and single mom I want to thank alabama for being the only musician (that I know of) to celebrate and realize how hard we work and how many hours we work a week just to bring home the money to provide
Alicia Andrew
Sammy Kershaw sings a song about hard working women
J Kell
Look up Working Class Heroes by Evil Conduct