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.
Look At Me
Alan Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you were the one, baby
I've never been so sure, of anything before
It's driving my heart crazy
I can't hold out, I can't hold back now
Like I've done before
Darling, look at me, I've fallen like a fool for you
I tell myself, I'm in too deep
Then I fall a little farther
Every time you look at me
How do you do that girl?
Make me feel like I'm, the only man alive for you
I guess that's what it is, that makes me fall like this
The first time in your arms I knew
The way you held me, it overwhelmed me
I went out of my mind
Darling, look at me, I've fallen like a fool for you
And Darling can't you see, I'd do anything you want me to
I tell myself, I'm in too deep
Then I fall a little farther
Every time you look at me
Every time, baby
Every time you look at me
Alan Jackson’s “Look at Me” is a straight-forward love song that speaks of the overwhelming feeling of falling in love. The lyrics are simple, but powerful. Jackson sings about how he’s never been so sure of anything before and how he’s fallen like a fool for the person he’s singing about. He also speaks about how this person makes him feel like he’s the only man alive and how he can’t hold out or hold back from his feelings any longer.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for its sentimentality: “I would bet my life, like I bet my heart/ That you were the one, baby/ I’ve never been so sure, of anything before/ It’s driving my heart crazy.” Jackson’s use of metaphor in these lines shows the intensity of his feelings: he is willing to bet his life on his belief that this person is the one for him. He’s so sure of this that it’s driving him mad.
In the chorus, Jackson turns to his beloved, asking her to look at him. He sings, “Darling, look at me, I’ve fallen like a fool for you/ And Darling can’t you see, I’d do anything you want me to/ I tell myself, I’m in too deep/ Then I fall a little farther/ Every time you look at me.” Here, Jackson implores his lover to see how much he loves her. He confesses that he’s fallen hard for her and would do anything for her. He also acknowledges that he knows he’s in deep, but he can’t help falling a little more every time she looks at him.
Overall, “Look at Me” is a sweet and honest love song that expresses the feelings that come with falling deeply in love. Jackson’s straightforward lyrics, heartfelt delivery, and simple melody combine to create an emotional ballad that speaks to the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I would bet my life, like I bet my heart
I am confident that you are the one for me.
That you were the one, baby
I am convinced that you are the right person for me.
I've never been so sure, of anything before
I have never been so certain about anything in my life.
It's driving my heart crazy
My emotions are overwhelming me.
I can't hold out, I can't hold back now, Like I've done before
I can no longer suppress my feelings for you.
Darling, look at me, I've fallen like a fool for you
I have fallen deeply in love with you.
And Darling can't you see, I'd do anything you want me to
I am devoted to you and will do anything to make you happy.
I tell myself, I'm in too deep
I am aware that I am in a serious relationship.
Then I fall a little farther
My feelings for you continue to deepen.
Every time you look at me
Your gaze has a powerful effect on me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER COLLINS, CHARLENE COLLINS, LIAM SIGGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind