There are times when an artist records a song thinking that it won't amount to much. That gut feeling can be very wrong. Then, almost without warning, it suddenly takes off like a rocket with the public. That is a really nice surprise when it happens. For example, Alan Jackson had a monster hit with "Chattahoochie" that he seemingly did not anticipate. A rollicking song that kind of echoes Jimmy Buffett's happy, fun-in-the-sun philosophy, the 1992 tune scooped up CMA honors for Song of the Year and Single of the Year.
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Alan Jackson Had Pretty Low Expectations For 'Chattahoochie'
Per an Apple Music video titled Essentials, Jackson, 66, said of the lively song, "It kinda started out as a fun thing for us [he and co-writer Jim McBride] to write." Jackson assumed that "nobody else will care about it or understand what a Chattahoochie is."
He added, "Unless you grew up around Georgia, you wouldn't know what it was." (It's a river that goes through Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In the song, it's sort of a metaphor for the final madcap interlude between carefree youth and the onset of responsible adulthood.) Jackson said of the rambunctious song, "I didn't think that anybody would connect with it."
Wow, was he ever wrong about that! It was triple-platinum certified by the RIAA. Not bad for a track Jackson felt would just quietly slip from view.
Fans Still Love Jackson And His Music
Many people left appreciative comments on YouTube about it.
"This man doesn't write songs, he writes stories that take you a different place and time. LEGEND doesn't do this man justice. A true country ICON."
"Alan is so talented.... What a blessing from God!!"
"My favorite, favourite singer, and such a beautiful smile"
"Greatest country song writer ever and singer. He has made country what it is today. Christian and a southern gentleman. Love Alan Jackson"
"His life is wonderful and his music is wonderful, God give him lots of health, Bravo for Alan Jackson"
"If I ever got my own music to a place where I could ask other musicians to collaborate, Alan would be the first person on that list. Dude was a key musical figure in country music for me."
"Alan is so so down to earth a persone, God Bless you abundantly"
