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)
How Do You Fall in Love
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When do you say I do
When is the perfect time
To spend the rest of your life
Seasons may come and go
And sometimes it rains and snows
And there will be highs and lows
You never know just where it will find you
'Cause it can come on you so fast
Seems like it takes forever
When you want it so bad
But don't ever take it for granted
'Cause it's more than sowing some seeds
It takes sun and water
So give it what it needs
And that's how you fall in love
That's when you say I do
That's when you know it's time
To spend the rest of your life
Now seasons may come and go
And sometimes it rains and snows
There will be highs and lows
So only you will know
There will be highs and lows
So only you will know
The lyrics to Alabama's How Do You Fall in Love song are all about the complexities of love and the journey of finding it. The first part of the song asks questions like "How do you fall in love?" and "When do you say I do?" which alludes to the fact that love is not something that can be easily defined or predicted. The lyrics suggest that there is no perfect time or recipe for finding love, but that it is something that only the individual can determine.
The middle part of the song talks about the ups and downs of relationships or marriages. The lyrics, "Seasons may come and go, and sometimes it rains and snows, and there will be highs and lows, so only you will know," express the idea that love is not always easy and that there will be challenges in any relationship. It is up to the individuals involved to work through these challenges and to continue to choose each other every day.
The final part of the song gives advice on how to maintain a successful relationship. The lyrics, "Don't ever take it for granted, 'cause it's more than sowing some seeds, it takes sun and water, so give it what it needs," urge listeners to appreciate their partner and to actively nurture the relationship to keep it healthy and strong.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you fall in love
What is the process of falling in love?
When do you say I do
At what point do you declare commitment through marriage?
When is the perfect time
What moment is ideal for a lifelong commitment?
To spend the rest of your life
To devote all of one's future to someone else.
Seasons may come and go
Life is full of changes and ups and downs.
And sometimes it rains and snows
Difficult times can come unexpectedly.
And there will be highs and lows
There will be good times and bad, and it's impossible to avoid either.
So only you will know
Each individual's journey of love is unique and personal.
You never know just where it will find you
Love is unpredictable and can appear in unexpected ways or places.
'Cause it can come on you so fast
Love can strike suddenly, without warning.
Seems like it takes forever
Sometimes the pursuit of love can feel endless.
When you want it so bad
Love can be powerful and all-consuming.
But don't ever take it for granted
Appreciate and value the love in your life.
'Cause it's more than sowing some seeds
Love is a complex and intricate relationship that requires care and attention.
It takes sun and water
Love needs nourishment and nurturing to thrive.
So give it what it needs
Take care of your relationship and give it the attention it needs to flourish.
And that's how you fall in love
This is the process and requirements for falling in love.
That's when you say I do
This is the commitment that marks the beginning of a lifelong journey together.
That's when you know it's time
This is the moment when you realize you're ready for a lifelong commitment.
Now seasons may come and go
Life is a continuous cycle of changes and seasons.
And there will be highs and lows
There will be moments of joy and moments of struggle along the way.
So only you will know
These experiences and challenges are unique to each individual relationship.
There will be highs and lows
There will be moments of happiness and moments of difficulty over time.
So only you will know
This journey of love is unique and personal to each individual couple.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GREG FOWLER, RANDY OWEN, TEDDY GENTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rachel snapp
Lyrics:
How do you fall in love
When do you say I do
When is the perfect time
To spend the rest of your life
Seasons may come and go
And sometimes it rains and snows
And there will be highs and lows
So only you will know
You never know just where it will find you
'Cause it can come on you so fast
Seems like it takes forever
When you want it so bad
But don't ever take it for granted
'Cause it's more than sowing some seeds
It takes sun and water
So give it what it needs
And that's how you fall in love
That's when you say I do
That's when you know it's time
To spend the rest of your life
Now seasons may come and go
And sometimes it rains and snows
There will be highs and lows
So only you will know
There will be highs and lows
So only you will know
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Greg Fowler / Randy Owen / Teddy Gentry
How Do You Fall in Love lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1998 {November 1st} Alabama's "How Do You Fall In Love"* peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks...
It reached #9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart...
Between 1977 and 2016 the Fort Payne, Alabama quartet had eighty records on the Hot Country Singles chart, fifty-three made the Top 10 with thirty-four reaching #1...
From August of 1980 to April of 1987 they had a string of twenty-one consecutive #1 records...
Five of their eighty charted records were duets, one each with Lionel Peters, Brad Paisley, Gretchen Peters, K.T. Oslin {uncredited}, and Jann Arden {uncredited}...
* "How Do You Fall In Love" was Alabama's sixth of six records to peak at #2 on the Hot Country Singles chart, plus they had thirty-four records peak at #1 and between August of 1980 to April of 1987 they had a string of twenty-one consecutive #1 records...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot Country Singles Top 10 on November 1st, 1998:
At #3. "You Move Me" by Garth Brooks
#4. "Honey, I'm Home" by Shania Twain
#5. "Forever Love" by Reba {Reba McEntire, but on the 45 RPM record label, it was just plain Reba}
#6, "A Little Past Little Rock" by Lee Ann Womack
#7. "Where The Green Grass Grows" by Tim McGraw
#8. "Don't Laugh At Me" by Mark Wills
#9. "Everything's Change" by Lonestar
#10. "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" by Tracy Byrd
Miss Judy
I absolutely love this! As a 65 yr old deciding on marrying again, the words gave me an open mind and heart to decide. ❤️❤️
miranda1232
I first heard this song when I was 17, and knew that I wanted it to be my first dance with my husband. 8 years later, I have found my soul mate and we'll dance to this song in just a few more weeks!
Kyle Hawk
How was ur wedding
dogzilla210lbs
I'm a little late to the wedding. Hope all is well.
Joy Heilmer
10
Sear Sanchez
I danced to this song with my mother at my wedding. I like to envision this song as a story line where a son asks his mother how to know when you're in love and when it's time to tie the knot with that special gal. The rest of the song being my mom's answer to that question. Not sure if this was the sentiment behind the song, but that's how I feel about it . Just another one of those great Alabama songs
joanatrekker
I have always loved Alabama. Their music is one that makes the heart bounce, dance and feel merrier. This one is the best love song they have done. It reaches down deep. :)
lapahasprincess
After 9 years and this song still reminds me what made me fall in love with my husband and what makes me fall in love with him all over again EVERYDAY!! WE LOVE YOU ALABAMA!
Brenda Mullins
This was my husband and my favorite song when we fell in love 9 1/2 years ago. Today we celebrate 8 years of marriage. We still love this song!!!!
Yolanda Dionisio
at 53, I'm just a new fan of this wonderful band. so sad that only now I discovered their soulful love songs😭