Jackson was born to Joseph Eugene Jackson and Ruth Musick in Newnan, Georgia, and has four older siblings. As a youth, Jackson listened primarily to gospel music. Otherwise he was not a major music fan. However, a friend of his introduced him to the music of Gene Watson, John Anderson and Hank Williams Jr. Jackson attended the local Elm Street Elementary and Newnan High School, starting a band after high school. After a time, he and his wife of six years, Denise Jackson, moved from Newnan to Nashville where Jackson hoped to pursue music full-time.
Jackson sang in church as a child. He, his father, mother, and four sisters lived in a small home. At one point, his bed was in the hallway for lack of room. His mother lives in the home to this day. His first job, at 12, was in a shoe store. He wrote his first song in 1983.
In Tennessee, Jackson got a job in The Nashville Network's mailroom. Denise got him connected to Glen Campbell, who helped him jumpstart his career. Jackson eventually signed with Arista.
His first album, 1989's Here in the Real World, was a major hit, as was his second (1991) album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. His 1992 album, A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) was a success, spawning five major singles. Also in 1992, Randy Travis charted three singles co-written by Jackson: "Forever Together", "Better Class of Losers", and "I'd Surrender All". Conversely, Travis co-wrote Jackson's single "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)".
In 1994 Jackson left his management company, Ten Ten Management, which had overseen his career up to that point, and switched to Gary Overton.
It was around this time that Jackson began also gaining fame for his song-writing skills. Other country music artists who have charted with songs co-written by Jackson, including Clay Walker ("If I Could Make a Living"), Chely Wright ("Till I Was Loved By You")[5] and Faith Hill ("I Can't Do That Anymore").
His first album, 1990's Here in the Real World, was a major hit, as was his second (1991) album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. His 1992 release, A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) was a smash success, spawning five major singles with "Chattahoochee" being the most enduring and successful. After a few more hit albums, Jackson again rocketed to fame with "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," a song about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which became a hit single and briefly propelled him into the mainstream spotlight; the song was even the subject of parody on the popular animated series South Park, in the episode A Ladder To Heaven.
The Long Way To Go Songfacts states that on January 20, 2011 Alan Jackson and his record label, Sony, parted ways after over 20 years. Three months later a new joint venture between Capitol's EMI Records Nashville and ACR (Alan's Country Records) was announced. His debut single from the new deal was Long Way To Go, which was shipped to Country radio on June 13, 2011.
Although Jackson has been characterized as a "hat act", his influences go deep into the roots of country music and his songs have been recorded by some of the greats like Charley Pride, who recorded "Here In The Real World". He has sung with George Jones on the award-winning "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair". His sense of humor comes through in "Gone Country" with the satirical description of the wannabes who cynically jumped on the country music bandwagon in the 1990s: "Everybody's gone country/Yeah we've gone country/The whole world's gone country."
He has been credited for popularizing a Neotraditional Country sound.
All American Country Boy
Alan Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I try to walk proud and tall
I keep my nose to the grind, I don't get behind
And I don't back up at all
Well my neck's a little red, my collar's blue
I sip a little coffee and I drink a little booze
[Chorus]
I'm my daddy's spittin' image and my mama's pride and joy
There ain't nothing down home that I really don't enjoy
Cause I'm an all American country boy
I drive a pickup truck and I don't pass the buck
And I always speak my mind
I'm hooked on TV, Rolaids and B.C.'s
And I know how to have a good time
I'm a little bit rowdy and a little bit tame
Ain't no way I'm ever gonna change
[Chorus]
Well I must admit that I've mellowed a bit
Father time can slow you down
I'm still doin' all I used to do
It just takes a little longer now
[Chorus]
I'm just a country boy
A good ol' country boy
The song "All American Country Boy" by Alan Jackson is a celebration of rural American life and agriculture. The first verse paints a picture of a hard-working, proud individual who takes pride in his work and doesn't back down from a challenge. The singer is a blue-collar worker, as evidenced by his red neck and blue collar. The chorus espouses his all-American nature, highlighting his parents' pride in him and his own love for everything down-home. The second verse emphasizes his independence and honesty; he drives a pickup truck, speaks his mind, and knows how to have a good time. The nostalgia of the song is palpable. Although the singer admits to slowing down as he's aged, he is still the same person as he ever was - just a bit older and wiser.
The song nods to traditional country values - hard work, independence, and love for one's hometown. It emphasizes the ruggedness and resilience of rural American life. All-American Country Boy is about appreciating the little things in life and being proud of where you come from. Jackson's straightforward, no-frills approach to singing makes the song's message feel genuine and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
I work a forty hour week and I earn my keep
I dedicate myself to hard work for forty hours a week and earn my keep.
And I try to walk proud and tall
I walk tall and confident, showing pride in my work ethic and character.
I keep my nose to the grind, I don't get behind
I work hard and stay focused, never falling behind and always achieving my goals.
And I don't back up at all
I never back down from a challenge and face difficulties head-on.
Well my neck's a little red, my collar's blue
I come from a working-class background and identify with the values of the blue-collar community.
I sip a little coffee and I drink a little booze
I enjoy the simple things in life like coffee and alcoholic beverages.
[Chorus] Cause I'm an all American country boy
This chorus is a statement of identity, reaffirming the singer as a proud, patriotic American who identifies with country culture.
I'm my daddy's spittin' image and my mama's pride and joy
The artist is proud to resemble his father and bring joy to his mother.
There ain't nothing down home that I really don't enjoy
The artist loves everything about his hometown and the simple pleasures it has to offer.
I drive a pickup truck and I don't pass the buck
The artist drives a truck and takes responsibility for his actions, never passing the blame to others.
And I always speak my mind
The singer is honest and unafraid to express his thoughts and opinions.
I'm hooked on TV, Rolaids and B.C.'s
The artist enjoys watching TV and takes Rolaids and B.C.'s for heartburn and pain relief.
And I know how to have a good time
The singer is fun-loving and knows how to enjoy life, often with simple pleasures like hanging out with friends and family.
I'm a little bit rowdy and a little bit tame
The singer is both wild and reserved, possessing a dynamic personality.
Ain't no way I'm ever gonna change
The singer is happy with who he is and refuses to change or compromise his values to fit anyone else's expectations.
Well I must admit that I've mellowed a bit
The artist acknowledges that he has become more relaxed with age, but still maintains his identity and values.
Father time can slow you down
The artist recognizes that age has an impact on energy levels and abilities.
I'm still doin' all I used to do
The singer remains committed to his hard work and pastimes, despite the slowing effects of aging.
It just takes a little longer now
The singer recognizes that his abilities and energy levels may not be as high as they once were, but he still persists and adjusts accordingly.
[Chorus]
Reiteration of the chorus statement about the artist's identity as an all-American country boy.
I'm just a country boy
The artist identifies himself as a simple country boy, proud of his background and culture.
A good ol' country boy
The artist further emphasizes his good character and commitment to his values as a country boy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLIE CRAIG, KEITH STEGALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind