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)
I'm in a Hurry
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Don't know why I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It's not new
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time
Shakin' hands with the clock
I can't stop
I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
I hear a voice
It says I'm running behind
I better pick up my pace
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second place
I'm in a hurry to get things done
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
I'm in a hurry to get things done
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
I'm in a hurry to get things done
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
I'm in a hurry to get things done
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Alabama's song "I'm in a Hurry" is a fast-paced and catchy tune that provides commentary on the human need for speed and the perceived urgency of life. In the song, the singer rushes through life without taking the time to enjoy it, feeling the need to constantly rush and be on the move. The song highlights the pressure people often feel to keep up with the pace of the world around them, even when it is unnecessary.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that their quest for speed and efficiency is not necessary, yet they cannot shake the feeling of being in a hurry. They question why they feel such a sense of urgency and why they continue to rush even when it brings them no joy. The lyrics also touch on the idea that being in a hurry can manifest as a desire to be first or the best in everything, creating a competitive mindset that can be exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a warning against the negative impact of rushing through life, emphasizing the importance of slowing down, appreciating the present moment, and living in the now.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in a hurry to get things done
I feel an urgent need to accomplish everything quickly
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
I keep hurriedly working, but it's not enjoyable
All I really gotta do is live and die
Living life to the fullest and dying is all that's necessary
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Despite the lack of reason, I'm still rushing through life
Don't know why I have to drive so fast
I don't understand why I feel the need to speed in my car
My car has nothing to prove
My vehicle doesn't need to demonstrate its capabilities
It's not new
The car isn't brand new
But it'll do zero to sixty in five point two
However, it can still accelerate quickly from zero to sixty mph in 5.2 seconds
Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time
I can't be tardy, so I depart with plenty of time
Shakin' hands with the clock
Watching time pass by as the clock ticks away
I can't stop
I can't slow down or take a break
I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock
I'm moving quickly and ready to keep going
I hear a voice
I perceive a voice in my head
It says I'm running behind
It tells me that I'm behind schedule
I better pick up my pace
I need to move faster to catch up
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second place
It's a competition where only the winner matters and second place is insignificant
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Randy Vanwarmer, Roger Murrah
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blakematthews9694
Im a month away from being 35 and god this song makes me miss being a kid and my dad always jamming some CMT. Long live 90s country!
@petriss69
Happy 36🎉
@mattsteinke435
keep going
@yellowguy4004
Wife's account. 34 Feb 4th
@daniellefagan7984
@@mattsteinke435 Amen Sir
@rturobhutan2766
I'm Arthur Bhutic. About 35. Since the Early 2010s, 40 became the New 35.
@Mike77787
It’s amazing how song hits you differently when you get older
@aaronmitchell8068
Amen, brother.
@itguy8900
Amen.
@michaelcollins106
You ain’t fuckin wrong man.