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.
Wanted
Alan Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to place an ad with you today
No, ma'am, tomorrow may be too late
I'd like to have it started right away
What's that? No, this is personal
I'm not buying or selling anything
Yes, ma'am, I know just what to say
Wanted: One good-hearted woman
To forgive imperfection in the man that she loved
Wanted: just one chance to tell her
How much he still loves her
He can't be sorry enough
What's that? No, that's all I wanna say
I just hope these few lines will get to her
Yes, ma'am, she means everything
I hope she comes back when she reads these words
Wanted: One good-hearted woman
To forgive imperfection in the man that she loved
Wanted: just one chance to tell her
How much he still loves her
He can't be sorry enough
Wanted
: One Good-Hearted Woman by Alan Jackson is a heartfelt lament about a man who has lost the love of his life and is hoping that a personal ad might help him get back with her. The opening lines of the song already reveal his urgency and desperation. He approaches a woman at a newspaper agency and asks her for help to place an ad. He wants to ensure that his message gets to his beloved woman as soon as possible.
The man makes it clear to the woman helping him that the ad is not for selling or buying anything. It's a personal message from him to his former lover. He has written down exactly what he wants to say, and it's a plea for forgiveness. He admits that he has imperfections and is looking for a woman who can accept him as he is. The ad also states that he still loves her and can't be sorry enough for whatever he did to push her away.
The lyrics reflect the deep regret and sorrow of a man who understands the gravity of his actions and wants a second chance with the woman he loves. Alan Jackson's emotive voice captures the emotion of the lyrics perfectly, making this song a poignant reminder of lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse me, ma'am, can you help me?
The singer is asking for help to place an ad.
I need to place an ad with you today
The singer needs to place an ad urgently.
No, ma'am, tomorrow may be too late
The singer is politely insisting on placing the ad today.
I'd like to have it started right away
The artist wants the ad to begin immediately.
What's that? No, this is personal
The artist is clarifying that the ad is not business-related.
I'm not buying or selling anything
The ad is not about merchandise or services.
Yes, ma'am, I know just what to say
The singer has already written the ad and knows what it should say.
I wrote it down, this is how it should read
The artist has a specific message for the ad.
Wanted: One good-hearted woman
The artist is looking for a kind and forgiving woman.
To forgive imperfection in the man that she loved
The man has made mistakes and needs forgiveness from the woman he loves.
Wanted: just one chance to tell her
The man wants an opportunity to communicate his feelings to this woman.
How much he still loves her
The man still has strong feelings for this woman.
He can't be sorry enough
The man deeply regrets his past actions and wants to make amends.
What's that? No, that's all I wanna say
The singer has conveyed their entire message and does not want to add more.
I just hope these few lines will get to her
The singer hopes the ad will reach the woman and she will understand his message.
Yes, ma'am, she means everything
The woman is incredibly important to the artist.
I hope she comes back when she reads these words
The artist hopes the woman will give him another chance after reading the ad.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charlie Craig, Alan Eugene Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Dunn
Those of us who grew up on 70's, 80's and 90's country were so spoiled with having so many absolutely talented voices to listen to. Such a strong, yet very soothing voice!
WAYNE POORE
I will be 50 this year and im so so glad i grew up with real country music
Pamela Cole
No matter how long ago this song was written, it is still one of the most favorite song of mine. I was in a relationship with someone who passed away. He would always sing this song to me and he took my heart ❤ when I lost him. To this day I still love him and it's been close to 20 years now 💔.
davidmoore2924
Hello 👋 from Scotland!! I'm really sorry for the lost...Alan Jackson music is truly the language of the soul and heart. this musical genre is real music that touches the spirit in the real sense of the world 🌍 You're a real fan
Joe F
A true country classic
Derrick Rodriguez
Alan Jackson's voice is magnificent. I've been a fan of his for a long time now and still enjoy his masterpiece. How long have you been a fan of his?
anella d'ambrosio
@davidmoore2924ciao David!🙋😍😘💘🌅
Eye in the SKY
I've been listening to Alan Jackson for over 20 years...I love his voice and his wonderful ability to write awesome songs
Pat Bricker
I listen to all of them over and over. Can’t get enough of his voice and his choice of music
Sean the washer kid
me two