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.
I Love To Tell The Story
Alan Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
Because I know 'tis true
It satisfies my longings
I love to tell the story
'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song
'Twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long
I love to tell the story
'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love
The first stanza of Alan Jackson's "I Love to Tell the Story" expresses a passion and desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ's glory and love. The singer loves to tell this story because it reveals unseen things above, things that are beyond the present world. The story is filled with Jesus Christ's glory and love, which the singer believes and affirms is true. The second stanza discusses how telling this story satisfies the singer's longings, as nothing else can.
In the third stanza, the singer talks about how telling the story of Jesus Christ's love and glory will be his theme in glory. This theme will be a constant reminder of the importance of spreading the message of the old, old story, i.e., the story of Jesus Christ's love. The final stanza then reveals that the singer is not alone in his love for this story. Others seem hungering and thirsting for this message, just like the singer. When the singer is finally in scenes of glory, he will sing the new song, but it will be the old, old story, i.e., the story of Jesus Christ's love that he has loved for so long.
The song reveals the singer's passion for spreading the message of Jesus Christ's love and glory. The singer believes that this message is true, and it satisfies his longings, as nothing else can. The song implies that others feel similarly about the old, old story, and the desire to spread its message is a theme for believers throughout their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I love to tell the story
I have a great passion to share the message of the gospel to all.
Of unseen things above
It is about the spiritual world that goes beyond the things we can see on earth.
Of Jesus and his glory
This is about the magnificence and splendor of Jesus Christ.
Of Jesus and his love
This talks about the unconditional love of Jesus towards all humanity.
Because I know 'tis true
I share the story because I believe that it is not just a story, but a true account of the reality of God's love and Jesus' work on earth.
It satisfies my longings
Sharing this story brings fulfillment and satisfaction to my innermost desires and aspirations.
As nothing else can do
There is nothing that can replace or compare to the joy and fulfillment of sharing the gospel message.
'Twill be my theme in glory
When I enter heaven, I will still be talking about and rejoicing in the story of Jesus' love and work on earth.
For those who know it best
Even those who are well-acquainted with the story still desire to hear it and be reminded of its truth and significance in their lives.
Seem hungering and thirsting
They have a strong longing and craving to hear the story again and again.
And when in scenes of glory
When I am in the glorious presence of God in heaven, I will still be singing about and celebrating the story of Jesus' love.
'Twill be the old, old story
The same story that I have loved and shared on earth will still be the theme of my praise and worship in heaven.
That I have loved so long
I have cherished and loved this story for so many years, and it will always be the source of my joy and hope.
Lyrics © Public Domain
Written by: Katherine Hankey, William Fischer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gospel Centered Preaching
The hymn "I Love to Tell the Story" By Katherine Hankey, 1866 has always been a church favorite. However, it has always bugged me that we never get around to telling the story in the hymn. So, I added a 5th verse at the end to try and briefly tell the story. I hope this is a blessing to you all.
1. I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love,
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
2. I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweat.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. (Refrain)
3. I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing a new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. (Refrain)
4. I’ll tell you now the story, of Jesus and his grace
He died to pay our ransom, He died to take our place.
I’ll tell you now the story, because it is our plea
His righteousness imputed to all who trust in Thee (Refrain)
Nanik Dasani
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory,
Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
Paul Munyao Musya
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do. I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.
2
I love to tell the story;
More wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies
Of all my golden dreams,
I love to tell the story,
It did so much for me;
And that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee. I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.
3
I love to tell the story;
’Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story;
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word. I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.
4
I love to tell the story;
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story,
That I have loved so long. I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love
Magel Cadapan
my mother would always sing this and I found myself humming it today..... she's with the Lord for 15 years today.
Rhonda Boncutter
Yes she is and you will be united again, just believe!
Lora Armstrong
@Rhonda Boncutter Thank you 🙏 for your support and love 💕 on Alan Jackson Beautiful music video by Alan Jackson youtube music video thank you 🙏 ♥️
Pamela Cole
Alan you have surely made amazing memories ❤, his music is very appreciative and I am sure the Lord is very proud of him reminding us of how precious life is .
Hemi McDade
What a glorious beautiful old song! It really bring the presence of God to your heart. God bless you Alan. You truly expressed your heart to Jesus and touch people heart with your voice.
Kimberly Shirley
Amén
Sheryl Jones
That's beautiful how you sang that Alan. And so true about Jesus and his love. Amen.
Beatriz Sousa
Please Alan, never get tired of telling and singing the story of Jesus you have loved so long... we can see that in your eyes...
Whitney Gebo
Hurry please
Trudy Pink
Oh yes 🙏 xxx