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)
High Cotton
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round our house the grass was green,
It didn't seem like things were all that bad,
I bet we walked a thousand miles,
Choppin' cotton and pusing plows,
And learnin' how to give it all we had.
I saw the light in daddy's eye,
And felt the love in mamma's hands,
They kept us warm and kept us fed,
Taught us how to look ahead,
Now lookin' back I understand.
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Those fertile fields are never far away,
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old time there are not forgotten,
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
When Sunday mornings rolled around,
We dressed up hand-me-downs,
Just in time to gather with the church,
Some times I think how long It's been,
And how it impressed me then,
It was the only day my daddy wouldn't work.
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Those fertile fields are never far away,
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old time there are not forgotten,
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Those fertile fields are never far away,
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old time there are not forgotten,
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Those fertile fields are never far away,
We were walkin' in high cotton,
Old time there are not forgotten,
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
Walkin' in High Cotton
by Alabama is a nostalgic song that reminisces about the joys of growing up in a small town in the South during a time when life was simpler. The lyrics highlight the hard-working nature of the people in the community who never complained despite the tough living conditions. At the time, they did not realize that their living situations were hard because they were too busy working and enjoying their youthful exuberance. The green grass around their house and the fertile cotton fields gave them a sense of pride and contentment. They had a strong sense of community, and even going to church was a major event in their lives. The song speaks to the importance of family, hard work, and faith, which were values held in high regard during that time.
The song also showcases the progression of time, as the singer looks back and realizes how much his parents did for him and how much he learned from them. He now understands how they sacrificed their own comfort to provide for their children, and he expresses gratitude for their hard work and love. Leaving home was the hardest thing they ever faced, but they carry the values instilled in them by their parents throughout their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
We didn't know the times were lean,
We were unaware that the economy was struggling,
Round our house the grass was green,
Despite the tough times, our homestead remained lush and prosperous,
It didn't seem like things were all that bad,
Since we lacked perspective, we didn't perceive our hardships as severe.
I bet we walked a thousand miles,
We toiled tirelessly day in and day out,
Choppin' cotton and pushin' plows,
Our primary work was agriculture and we had to use a lot of manual labor,
And learnin' how to give it all we had.
We had to learn how to work hard, to give it everything we had to succeed.
As Life went on and years went by,
As time passed,
I saw the light in daddy's eye,
I could see the joy in my father's eyes,
And felt the love in mamma's hands,
I felt the deep love and care from my mother's hands,
They kept us warm and kept us fed,
They cared for us and provided us with our basic necessities,
Taught us how to look ahead,
They taught us to plan for the future,
Now lookin' back I understand.
With hindsight, I can see the sacrifices our parents made for us.
When Sunday mornings rolled around,
On Sunday mornings,
We dressed up hand-me-downs,
We wore old, secondhand clothing
Just in time to gather with the church,
We went to church with our community,
Some times I think how long It's been,
Sometimes I reflect on how much time has passed,
And how it impressed me then,
I recall how much it meant to me then,
It was the only day my daddy wouldn't work.
Sunday was the only day dad could take a break from work.
We were walkin' in high cotton,
We were living well and doing relatively well financially,
Old times there are not forgotten,
We remember those times fondly,
Those fertile fields are never far away,
Memories of our agricultural past are always close by,
Leavin' home was the hardest thing we ever faced.
Saying goodbye and leaving that life behind was exceedingly difficult.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SCOTT ANDERS, ROGER MURRAH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@babyalive345
Dear America,
We miss you.
@daniellucena9694
You just said two words and the whole meaning of this goes far beyond emotions and feelings...But no too many can realize of it huh?
@TheBeggies95
We really do. Love ya America
@youfuckedup9346
I never cared about color all those Years 🔥✍🏼Now l am WHITE 🔥Tv colonial pen black stink
@thatrallycarguy
Born in 78 and what I'd give to go back.. this is country music!!!💯💯❤️❤️🙏🙏 god bless America!!!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@TheJUAREZ2012
This is basically an anthem to everyone who grew up on farming issues and learning strong family values. Greetings from the south... of Spain, Murcia.
@unclej3542
I feel It's more about recognizing the benefits of hard work, no matter what kind of work it is..
@TheJUAREZ2012
@@unclej3542 I agree
@damnyancey
There was actually a cotton mill named High Cotton in Ft.Payne where Alabama is from. I wondered if it was the inspiration for the song title.
@aaronlohr8477
Amen to that. There’s sort of an innocence and freedom of that lifestyle that resides deep in the heart of the people.