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.
Where Were You
Alan Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Or drivin' down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
On that September day?
Alan Jackson's "Where Were You" is a moving and introspective reflection on the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. The song starts with a series of questions, asking where the listener was when the world stopped turning on that fateful day. Jackson then describes different reactions people may have had to the events of 9/11, including shock, anger, fear, and grief. He acknowledges that people may have felt a range of emotions, from weeping for the children who lost loved ones, to rejoicing for those who survived.
The song then takes a spiritual turn, with Jackson explaining that while he's not a political person and doesn't necessarily understand everything going on in the world, he knows Jesus and talks to God. He reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and love, and how these things can help us deal with tragedy and loss.
Throughout the song, Jackson's vocals are emotive and heartfelt. He manages to capture the confusion and pain that people felt on that day, while also offering a message of hope and resilience. "Where Were You" is a powerful reminder of the impact that 9/11 had on the world, and of the need for love and compassion in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
Where were you when the 9/11 terrorist attack happened?
That September day?
Referring to September 11, 2001
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Were you spending time with your loved ones?
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?
Were you busy with work in a different part of the country?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Were you overwhelmed by the shock and horror of the attacks?
Risin' against that blue sky?
The smoke from the burning buildings rising up into the clear blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Did you feel emotional pain and anger for other affected individuals?
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you feel helpless and emotional upon witnessing the tragedy?
Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones
Did you feel sorrow for the loss the children experienced?
Pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you pray for those who were impacted by the attack?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
Did you feel joy for those who survived the tragedy?
And sob for the ones left below?
Were you overcome with grief for those who didn't survive?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
Did you feel immense pride in being an American?
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you recognize the bravery and selflessness of the first responders who lost their lives while trying to save others?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
Did you question why such a tragedy occurred?
And look at yourself and what really matters?
Did you reflect on your own life and priorities?
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Were you teaching young, innocent students at the time of the attacks?
Or drivin' down some cold interstate?
Were you driving on a desolate, cold highway during the terrorist attack?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor?
Did you experience feelings of guilt because you survived while others did not?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you feel isolated despite being surrounded by others?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you contact loved ones to express feelings of love and appreciation?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you turn to faith for comfort and guidance during the tragedy?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Did you wish for the attack to never occur?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you have trouble sleeping in the aftermath of the attack?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
Did you take notice of things that you may have previously taken for granted?
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you connect with others in the wake of the tragedy?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Did you reflect on the future and the steps that need to be taken to move forward after the tragedy?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you feel the urge to protect yourself and your loved ones by purchasing a weapon?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
Did you refrain from watching violent movies in the aftermath of the attacks?
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you seek comfort in simpler, more lighthearted forms of entertainment?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you seek solace in communal prayer with other affected individuals?
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you volunteer to donate blood to help those in need?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Did you surround yourself with loved ones during the aftermath of the tragedy?
Thank God you had somebody to love?
Did you express gratitude for the presence of loved ones in your life?
And the greatest is love
The most important virtue of all is love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ender1853
“Where were you when they built that ladder to heaven..”
@FortunaGloxinia
Where were you when they ran out of stuff to build the ladder to heaven?
@mariadelourdessantos9184
@@FortunaGloxinias o
@hawkmanwalter4250
9/11 9/11 9/11
@FortunaGloxinia
9 9 9 / 11
@dedrabuckler9421
I was still the gleam in my Daddy's eye.
@Tool_fan
R.I.P Kenny keep building that ladder
@aaronburns9538
Well I for one believe in the ladder to heaven.
@MarjanJanczyk
thumbs up if South Park brought you here
@CaseysRepository
No. South Park i do enjoy alot of the moments and laughed but that part about this not a chance...