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)
If I Had You
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you is a classic country song by Alabama. The song talks about how having the love of someone special can change one's life and make everything better. The lyrics describe how the singer could do anything if they had their loved one by their side - from changing grey skies to blue, to climbing snow capped mountains, crossing the burning desert, and becoming a king. The song's simple yet moving lyrics are a testament to the power of love and how it can inspire one to be their best self.
The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is not currently happy or satisfied with their life, as they could "show the world how to smile" and "change the grey skies to blue" if they had their loved one with them. The lyrics also convey a sense of longing and a desire to start a new life with their partner, leaving behind the old days and starting afresh. The song's message is simple yet powerful - having someone to love and be loved by can make all the difference in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
I could bring joy and happiness to everyone around me
I could be glad all of the while
I could be happy every moment of my life
I could change the grey skies to blues
I could transform sadness and despair into hope and optimism
If I had you
If I had your love and support
I could leave the old days behind
I could forget about my past and move on
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I wouldn't care about leaving my friends behind as long as I had you
I could start my life all a new
I could begin a fresh chapter in my life
If I had you
If I had your love and support
I could climb the snow capped mountains
I could conquer any challenge thrown my way
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could explore the world's greatest mysteries and adventures
I could cross the burning desert
I could overcome any obstacle or danger
If I had you by my side
If I had your love and support
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
I could have all the power and influence of a king, but without the title
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
Regardless of my status, I could achieve anything with your love and support
There is nothing I couldn't do
I am capable of accomplishing anything with you by my side
If I had you
If I had your love and support
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Music is my life.
"If I Had You"
If I had you we'd run like gypsies in the wind
We'd be lovers, we'd be friends,
Oh, if I had you.
If I had you, we'd count the stars all one by one
We'd make love 'til they were gone
Oh, if I had you/
'Cause you light a fire way down in my soul
The flame keeps growin stronger there ain't no control
And there's nothing, no there's nothing, no there's nothing that I wouldn't do
If I had you.
If I had you, we'd sail the 7 seas as one
We'd never say "It can't be done"
No, if I had you.
'Cause you light a fire way down in my soul
The flame keeps growing stronger 'cause there aint no control
And theres nothing, no there's nothing, I know there's nothing that I wouldn't do
If I had you...
yvette petrozza
Touches the soul deep.
Mark Radzwion
I don't think Alabama had a bad song. In all my 61 years I haven't heard it,
Pat Carrion
One of Alabama’s greatest love ❤️ songs. 🇺🇸💕
Pat Carrion
Alabama is a great country group. They were great in person at their concert I saw. 🇺🇸❤️
Pat Carrion
👍👍🇺🇸
Nan Chu
What a gorgeous song ...Love love love it!!! Teary eyed at a memory....
Teresa Roberts
I love ALABAMA GROUP!!! I LOVE THEIR SONGS!!!
Cindea Mulholland
This song. Kills me.
In our minds we can go where we want in perfection with a Love that is supposed to be like God intended for us.🙏❤
Loretta Goldthirte Goldthwaite
Beautiful song really touches your sole ❤️
Deborah Evans
A very beautiful song !