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)
Twentieth Century
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was a time like no one else has ever had
We learned to drive, we learned to fly
We sent a man into the sky
When he walked on the moon, we were so glad
Yeah, the twentieth century wasn't all that bad
Yeah, the twentieth century was quite a ride
We had demonstrations and liberations
Great depressions and good vibrations
And doors that once were closed were opened wide
Oh, the twentieth century was quite a ride
We had movin' pictures and radio
And Broadway, country, rock and roll
In 1900, who'd a bet we'd all be surfing on the internet
Yeah, the twentieth century was a heck of a show
We all had our fifteen minutes, don't you know
Assembly lines, celebrities, the spotlight shined on you and me
And everybody got a standin' O
Yeah, the twentieth century was a heck of a show
From blocks of ice to air-condition
Telegraph to television
In 1900, who'd a known we all wind up with pocket phones
The twentieth century wasn't all that long
Just a hundred years has come and gone
We can't go back even if we try
So I'll just smile and wave goodbye
To see it leavin' makes me kinda sad
It was a time like no one else has ever had
Oh, the twentieth century wasn't all that bad
The twentieth century
Bye-bye
The twentieth century
Goodbye
Alabama's song, Twentieth Century is an ode to the past 100 years, acknowledging that despite the ups and downs, it was a remarkable and unprecedented time in history. The song reflects on the various significant events and milestones that took place, ranging from technological advancements to social movements. It celebrates the twentieth century for all that it brought about, from learning to drive and fly to space exploration and walking on the moon. In the midst of all of these significant developments, the song acknowledges the many challenging times that came with the century, including periods of unrest, war, and depression. However, the overall sentiment of the song is one of appreciation and gratitude for the experiences and advancements that led us to where we are today.
The song's lyrics carry a strong sense of nostalgia, as the singer bids farewell to the century that has now come to an end. While recognizing that time cannot be reversed, there is a sense of sadness at seeing it go, which is poignantly captured in the final lines of the song. The lyrics also pay tribute to the people who contributed to these milestones, from the celebrities and musicians who graced the stage to the everyday citizens who played their part in shaping history. All in all, Twentieth Century is a celebration of the past hundred years, a reminder of how much we have accomplished and how far we have come.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the twentieth century wasn't all that bad
Despite its ups and downs, overall the twentieth century was pretty good
It was a time like no one else has ever had
The events and advancements of the twentieth century were unique and unprecedented
We learned to drive, we learned to fly
Humanity made significant advancements in transportation technology
We sent a man into the sky
The space race led to humans leaving Earth's atmosphere for the first time
When he walked on the moon, we were so glad
The feat of landing on the moon was a major accomplishment celebrated by many
Yeah, the twentieth century was quite a ride
The century was full of memorable experiences and changes
We had to learn to see the other side
Societal changes required people to broaden their perspectives and be more accepting of diversity
We had demonstrations and liberations
People fought for civil rights and freedoms
Great depressions and good vibrations
The century had its share of economic downturns and cultural highlights
And doors that once were closed were opened wide
People were empowered to challenge social norms and overcome discrimination
We all had our fifteen minutes, don't you know
Many people experienced a moment of fame or recognition
Assembly lines, celebrities, the spotlight shined on you and me
The century saw the rise of mass production, pop culture icons, and celebrity status
And everybody got a standin' O
People were recognized and celebrated for their achievements
The twentieth century wasn't all that long
Despite all that happened, the century only lasted 100 years
Just a hundred years has come and gone
The century is now behind us and belongs to history
We can't go back even if we try
The past is unchangeable and can only be remembered and learned from
So I'll just smile and wave goodbye
Accepting that the century is over, we say farewell to it with gratitude and optimism
To see it leavin' makes me kinda sad
Despite the positive aspects, it's natural to feel mournful as that era ends
Lyrics © CPL PUBLISHING, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, OVER THE MOON PROD
Written by: CHRIS CUMMINGS, DON SCHLITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimberly Bittner
on Carolina Mountain Dewe
Why would you put this one to show, when I made a video to it on u-tube.. This dosen't tell the story to the song I have loved for over 30 tears..