The Top 10+ Alan Jackson Songs

Alan Jackson is the perfect example of a country legend who made his mark in ‘90s country and seamlessly continued his career success into the 2000s and beyond. Since the release of his 1990 album Here in the Real World, Jackson has been churning out solid country hits that always find their place on the country charts.

Throughout his more than 30-year career, he has become an icon in country music, and he’s continuing to evolve his career further with the release of his brand new album, Where Have You Gone, on Friday, May 14. Before he releases his new music, here’s a look into Jackson’s discography and 10+ of his best songs.

(Arranged chronologically)

1. “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” — from Here in the Real World

Alan Jackson personified ‘90s country music, and much of that started with “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” his first single to reach the No. 2 spot on the charts. In this classic song, he sings about what he was doing in his real life at the time — chasing his country music dream (or that neon rainbow). In the tune, he sings about how his parents played him country music when he was young, and now he’s trying to catch his big break. This song and others on his Here in the Real World album set a solid foundation for his successful career.

2. “Don’t Rock The Juke Box” — from Don’t Rock the Jukebox

A truly iconic song of Jackson’s came in 1991 with “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Even country fans who didn’t listen to country in the ‘90s most likely know this swinging country tune in which a broken-hearted Jackson pleads with people in a bar to play country, not rock, on the jukebox. “Don’t rock the jukebox / I want to hear some Jones / ‘Cause my heart ain’t ready / For the Rolling Stones,” he sings. Although the singer is supposedly heartbroken in the tune, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” is an upbeat traditional country song that’s ready for a line dance floor. The song, which was his debut single from his album of the same name, served as his second No. 1 hit.

3. “Chattahoochee”  — from A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love)

Jackson had a few more hits after “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” including “Midnight in Montgomery” and “She’s Got Rhythm (And I Got The Blues),” but his career really starting firing up with the 1993 release of “Chattahoochee.” In this now-iconic, upbeat tune, Jackson sings about living life, being young and falling in love in the south alongside the Chattahoochee river. The entire song features down-home anecdotes about life in the south, such as laying “rubber on the Georgia asphalt,” hanging out by the river with a “pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight,” “talking ’bout cars and dreaming ’bout women,” and more. With its twangy guitar and fiddle, the song is undeniably country. The music video is also memorable, as it shows Jackson water skiing on the Chattahoochee.

4. “Gone Country” — from Who I Am

In his 1994 hit, “Gone Country,” Alan Jackson documents the rising popularity of country music in a catchy way. With his signature country guitar backing him up, Jackson sings about three musicians — a Las Vegas singer, a New York City folk singer, and a pop singer/songwriter — who all decide to move to Nashville to live the country music dream. While the song is about musicians who decide to “go country,” the tune also represents the rising popularity of country music around the world, as Jackson sings, “The whole world’s gone country.” “Gone Country” became yet another No. 1 hit for Jackson.

5. “When Somebody Loves You” — from When Somebody Loves You

In his early days, Alan Jackson showed off his knack for upbeat country tunes, but the singer has also made his mark with more emotional songs. One of these is “When Somebody Loves You,” released as the second single from the album of the same name in 2001. Written solely by Jackson, the ballad employs a sweet melody, dobro and mandolin instrumentation, and lyrics that show the sentimental side of the singer. In the song, he sings about the difference one experiences in their life when they’re in love. “But when somebody loves you / There’s nothing you can’t do / When somebody loves you / It’s easy to get through / When somebody loves you / The way I love you,” he sings in the chorus. The song fell shy of the No. 1 spot, landing at No. 5, but it has become a classic Jackson tune and one that has been played at many weddings.

6. “Where I Come From” — from When Somebody Loves You

After “When Somebody Loves You,” Jackson went back to his up-tempo country ways with “Where I Come From.” In this 2001 song, Jackson celebrates his country roots, finding himself far away from home in each verse, which only makes him appreciate his home more. “I said where I come from It’s cornbread and chicken / Where I come from a lotta front porch sittin’ / Where I come from tryin’ to make a livin’ / And workin’ hard to get to heaven / Where I come from,” he sings in the chorus. “Where I Come From” landed at No. 1 on the country charts.

7. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” — from Drive

Jackson released one of his most poignant songs in 2001 with “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” The song is Jackson’s reflection on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and finds him listing various things people were doing, such as “teaching a class of innocent children,” before the twin towers were struck and the world changed forever. In the chorus of the song, Jackson expresses the ache he feels about the attacks and admits he doesn’t have all the answers, but encourages people to spread love. Jackson debuted the song two months after 9/11 at the CMA Awards, after which he received a standing ovation from the audience. The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the country chart and reached No. 28 on the all-genre chart. The song also won Jackson two ACM Awards, two CMA Awards and his first Grammy Award.

8. “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” — from Drive

After “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” Alan Jackson released another one of his classic tunes, “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” In this heartwarming song, Jackson sings about the excitement he felt as a child when his father let him drive. In the first verse, he sings of driving a boat with his dad, and in the second verse, he drives an old Ford truck. In the third verse, he fast forwards to being a dad to three daughters and hoping they cherish the memories of driving with him on their property. Released in early 2002, the song was yet another hit for Jackson, landing at No. 1 on the country charts and No. 28 on the all-genre chart.

9. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (With Jimmy Buffett) — from Greatest Hits Volume II

When it comes to songs that should be included on your beach or summer playlist, Alan Jackson’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” should be at the top of the list. In this island-ready tune, Jackson teams up with Jimmy Buffett as they sing about pouring some drinks a little early — because, after all, it is five o’clock somewhere. The song is an absolute classic, as Jackson and Buffett trade vocals and even some banter at the end of the song. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” was a huge hit for the artists, spending eight weeks atop the country charts and landing at No. 17 on the all-genre chart. It also ranked at No. 4 on the year-end country chart.

10. “Remember When” — from Greatest Hits Volume II

Alan Jackson reaches into his sentimental side again with “Remember When,” which followed “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” in 2003. In this soft ballad penned solely by Jackson, the singer tells the story of his relationship with his wife, from when they were young and fell in love, to when they got married, to when they fell apart and broke each other’s hearts and eventually came back together and had children. He sings about all these memories by singing “Remember When,” and he eventually looks to the future, envisioning when he and his wife are old and how they’ll remember the good days. The song is especially sentimental, as mandolin and acoustic guitar accompany the sweet lyrics. The tune spent two weeks at No. 1 on the country chart and reached No. 29 on the Hot 100.