Raised on George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris, she sang harmonies as a toddler, eventually thinking she'd make a career of it. Following the murder-suicide of her parents (perpetrated by her father) in 1986, she moved into her aunt and uncle's home.
Not long afterwards, sister Shelby Lynne moved to Nashville for a career in music, and after her high school graduation, Moorer followed. She sang harmonies with her sister for a while but returned to Alabama to earn a degree in public relations. She skipped the graduation ceremony to move back to Nashville.
Her song "A Soft Place to Fall" was tapped for Robert Redford's The Horse Whisperer in 1998, and she also appeared in the movie. Because the ballad earned her an Academy Award nomination, she performed it on the 1999 Oscars ceremony. However, none of her singles from her debut "Alabama Song" or its follow-up "The Hardest Part" received much radio airplay, nor achieving chart success though both projects were highly praised by critics.
When Brown moved from MCA to sister label Universal South, Moorer followed. Her 2002 album "Miss Fortune" earned more raves, but didn't meet sales expectations. She almost got another big break by recording the duet "Picture" with Kid Rock after Sheryl Crow had bowed out. However, Crow changed her mind, and the Rock/Crow-version became a huge radio hit. Yet, the song was credited on the charts to both Crow and Moorer. In addition, the CD single featuring Moorer sold 500,000 copies and is certified Gold by the RIAA. Her ballad "Tumbling Down" (from Miss Fortune) was featured on the soundtrack of the popular 2002 film The Rookie.
Her live album album "Show"(2003) was recorded in one night (two performances) at the 12th and Porter in Nashville and despite popular belief, it features the first recorded collaboration by both Moorer sisters.
After releasing Show and a DVD on Universal South, Moorer moved to independent label Sugar Hill Records. With a slightly rougher edge than past efforts, The Duel was released in April 2004.
After a divorce between Moorer and Primm, she eventually married Steve Earle, after serving as his opening act on a European tour. Earle produced her 2006 album, "Getting Somewhere". Moorer wrote all the songs, with the exception of one co-written with Earle. She and Earle were nominated for a Grammy award in the category Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, for the song "Days Aren't Long Enough" from Earle's "Washington Square Serenade".
Moorer released the Buddy Miller-produced "Mockingbird" in February 2008; an album mainly of covers of songs by female singer/songwriters including her sister, Shelby Lynne.
Her latest studio album "Crows" (2010), features her first departure from the Contemporary Country style of her earlier albums, instead changing to a Pop and Contemporary Singer/Songwriter style.
http://allisonmoorer.com
Alabama Song
Allison Moorer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the trees grow tall and green
I'd like to see the gulf of Mexico
If you're going, won't you take me
Are you going to Alabama
Where the skies shine bright and blue
I'd like to see the old Tombigbee
Are you going to Alabama
Where the folks say "how do you do"
I'd like to see those big ol' cotton fields
If you're going, I'm going too
I'm ready to run, baby
Through the sweet southern pines
Lie down in a bed of camellias
And watch the sun shine
If you're going to Alabama
I could use a change of view
But if you're going to California
That's alright, any place will do
Well, I guess I just want to go with you
"Allison Moorer's song "Alabama Song" portrays a strong desire to experience a new place. The lyrics express a longing to visit the southern state, as the singer reflects on the tall green trees, the bright blue skies, the old Tombigbee, and the big ol' cotton fields. The song seems to capture the essence of an adventurous spirit ready to embark on a journey to a new horizon. The singer is so keen on experiencing these things that she pleads with her companion, asking to join them in their travels to Alabama. The song is a beautiful tribute to the joys of travel and the excitement of exploring a new place with someone close to you.
The lyrics of "Alabama Song" showcase the rapture of wanderlust in its most genuine form. They reflect the excitement and wonder that often accompany a desire to see new things, meet new people, and experience new cultures. The song encourages a sense of freedom and wonder, where the thrill of discovering something new is just as important as the destination itself."
Line by Line Meaning
Are you going to Alabama
Asking if the person is traveling to Alabama
Where the trees grow tall and green
Describing the scenery with trees that are tall and green
I'd like to see the gulf of Mexico
Expressing desire to see the Gulf of Mexico
If you're going, won't you take me
Requesting to be taken along if the person is going
Where the skies shine bright and blue
Describing the clear and bright blue sky
I'd like to see the old Tombigbee
Expressing desire to see the Tombigbee river
If you're going, I want to go with you
Expressing interest in going along if the person is going
Where the folks say "how do you do"
Describing the friendly nature of the people
I'd like to see those big ol' cotton fields
Expressing desire to see the vast cotton fields
If you're going, I'm going too
Expressing full intention to go along if the person is going
I'm ready to run, baby
Excitement to embark on the journey
Through the sweet southern pines
Describing the beautiful and fragrant southern pine trees
Lie down in a bed of camellias
Desire to relax among the camellia flowers
And watch the sun shine
Enjoying the beautiful sun shining
If you're going to Alabama
Confirming interest in going to Alabama
I could use a change of view
Expressing desire for a change of scenery
But if you're going to California
Acknowledging that any destination works
That's alright, any place will do
Being open to traveling anywhere if not going to Alabama
Well, I guess I just want to go with you
Expressing strong desire to travel with the person
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLISON MOORER, DOYLE PRIMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Catherine Todd
Allion Moorer is one of the finest artists of our generation. Never understand why she isn't a #1 popular hit girl. She's just Terrific.
Ron Belin
@Judah Katzenberger DOH
Ron Belin
I think mostly because of the lack of emphasis on instrumentals and those sort of innovations: she did receive an academy award nomination
khs_fan insta
ikrr...im so sad shes criminally underrated
Judah Katzenberger
Because while songwriters do record music, they usually prefer to just write it. She's not famous because that's not her goal in Nashville.
kenny maclean
Just can't stop playing this song. She has a beautiful voice (and probably the best pedal-steel player in the world.) So much feeling here from both of them - the voice & the steel compliment each other. Brilliant arrangement.
Jon Bryan
I listened to it just yesterday when I entered Alabama westbound on I-10. Have listened to this and A Soft Place To Fall over a hundred times. She's among the best and one of the last in classic country music.
mike o.
Love this song. Love the album and her.....she's the REAL deal...
Gary Sanders
Another great song from a great artist. I love Allison and Shelby's music!!!!
Jonasbleintin !
2019? This song is awesome, cant stop listening to it