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)
anytime
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early morning, late at night, anytime the time is right
Oh, if you want to hold me, well, you know that you can
Anytime, anytime, I'm your man
Baby you're something, you're something else
I?ll keep you're loving all to myself
I live for the moment when it?s just you and me
Anytime you wanna love me you can love me anytime
?Cause I'm ready and I'm willing, name the place, name the time
December through November, just give me your hand
Anytime, anytime, I'm your man
So hold me closer, close as you can
Whisper to me, now what's your plan
You can trust me, understand
Baby, understand
Anytime you wanna love me, you can love me anytime
Oh, if you want to hold me
Well, you know you always can
Anytime, anytime, I'm your man
The song "Anytime" by Alabama is a love song that expresses the singer's willingness to love and be there for someone anytime they need him. The lyrics convey a sense of loyalty and devotion to his significant other, as he promises to be there for them regardless of the time or place. The song is set to an upbeat country sound with elements of rock, making it a catchy and memorable tune.
The chorus, "Anytime you wanna love me, you can love me anytime," emphasizes the message of unconditional love and support, as the singer assures his partner of his willingness to reciprocate their feelings whenever they wish. The lyrics also suggest a level of vulnerability and trust in the relationship, as the singer asks his partner to "whisper to me, now what's your plan" and reassures them that they can "trust me, understand."
Overall, "Anytime" is a romantic and uplifting song that celebrates the power of love and commitment in a relationship. It is a classic example of Alabama's signature blend of country, rock, and pop influences and is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced the joy and security of being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Anytime you wanna love me, you can love me anytime
The singer is telling his partner that they have the freedom to love him any time they please.
Early morning, late at night, anytime the time is right
The singer is emphasizing the fact that his lover can express their love for him at any time regardless of the time of day.
Oh, if you want to hold me, well, you know that you can
The singer is giving his partner permission to hold him whenever they desire.
Anytime, anytime, I'm your man
The artist is reiterating that his partner can count on him to be there for them at any time or in any circumstance.
Baby you're something, you're something else
The artist is telling their partner that they are one of a kind and unique in their own way.
I'll keep your loving all to myself
The singer wants to keep their partner's love exclusive and for themselves only.
I live for the moment when it's just you and me
The singer finds joy in spending quality time alone with their lover, away from the rest of the world.
Anytime you wanna love me you can love me anytime
The artist repeats their message to their partner that they can express their love to them whenever they feel like it.
'Cause I'm ready and I'm willing, name the place, name the time
The artist is letting their partner know that they are always ready and willing to love them, any place and any time they choose.
December through November, just give me your hand
The artist wants to spend the entire year with their partner and is only asking for their hand throughout that time period.
So hold me closer, close as you can
The singer is asking their partner to hold them as close as possible, indicating a desire for physical closeness.
Whisper to me, now what's your plan
The artist wants their partner to communicate their desires to them in a subtle way, indicating that they are open to new ideas.
You can trust me, understand
The singer is assuring their partner that they can trust them, emphasizing the importance of trust in their relationship.
Baby, understand
The singer is asking their partner to understand their feelings and emotions.
Oh, if you want to hold me
The singer repeats their message from earlier in the song, letting their partner know that they are always willing to be held by them.
Well, you know you always can
The artist repeats the message once more, emphasizing that their partner can always hold them whenever they want.
Anytime, anytime, I'm your man
The artist emphasizes once again that they are always available for their partner, anytime they need them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DIPIERO, JARRARD, SANDERS
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..