Alan Jackson – Home

Introduction:

Alan Jackson’s song “Home” is a poignant track from his 1990 debut album, Here in the Real World. This song highlights his deep connection to his roots and the influence of his upbringing on his music. As one of the leading artists in country music, Jackson is known for his ability to blend traditional country sounds with contemporary influences, and “Home” stands as a testament to his authenticity and storytelling ability.

Released in 1990, “Home” is written by Jackson himself and falls under the country music genre, with its sound deeply rooted in traditional country, honky-tonk, and neo-traditional country influences. The song carries a personal message as it was written about Jackson’s childhood and his parents’ struggles in building their family home in rural Newnan, Georgia. His autobiographical lyrics offer a heartfelt tribute to the life lessons and values instilled in him by his family.

The production of “Home” was handled by Keith Stegall, a frequent collaborator with Alan Jackson and a significant figure in shaping his early sound. Stegall, known for his production work with other country greats, like George Jones and Zac Brown Band, played an essential role in helping Jackson craft his unique style that merges modern sensibilities with traditional country sounds. The musicianship on the track features twangy guitars, steady drumming, and pedal steel guitar, which contribute to its classic country feel, and perfectly complement Jackson’s smooth, expressive vocals.

Although “Home” was not released as a single from Here in the Real World, it remains one of the standout tracks from the album and has been embraced by fans for its sincerity and emotional depth. The album itself was a major commercial success, launching Alan Jackson’s career and leading to his status as one of the best-selling country artists of all time. Here in the Real World produced several hit singles, including the title track and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” both of which solidified Jackson’s place in the country music scene.

While “Home” didn’t receive individual chart recognition, it holds significant importance within Jackson’s catalog as it encapsulates the themes of family, humility, and hard work that permeate much of his music. Its inclusion in his debut album set the stage for the kind of personal storytelling that Jackson would become renowned for throughout his career.

Overall, “Home” represents a deep, introspective side of Alan Jackson, offering listeners a glimpse into his life and the values that shaped him both as a person and as an artist. This heartfelt tribute to his upbringing has resonated with fans for decades, reaffirming his commitment to honest, traditional country music and storytelling.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Home”

In small town down in Georgia
Over 40 years ago
Her maiden name was Musik
Until she met that Jackson boyThey married young like folks did then
Not a penny to their name
They believed the one you vowed to love
Should always stay the same

And on the land his daddy gave him
A foundation underway
For a love to last forever
Or until their dying day

They built a bond that’s strong enough
To stand the test a time
And a place for us to turn to
When our lives were in bind

And they made their house from a tool shed
Grandaddy rolled out on two logs
And they built walls all around it
And they made that house a home

And they taught us ’bout good living
And taught us right from wrong
Lord, there’ll never be another place
In this world that I’ll call home

My mama raised five children
Four girls, and there was me
She found her strength in faith of God
And a love of family

She never had a social life
Home was all she knew
Except the time she took a job
To pay a bill or two

And my daddy skinned his knuckles
On the cars that he repaired
He never earned much money
But he gave us all he had

He never made the front page
But he did the best he could
Folks drove the cars from miles around
And let ’em look underneath the hood

And they made their house from a tool shed
Grandaddy rolled out on two logs
And they built walls all around it
And they made that house a home

And they taught us ’bout good living
And taught us right from wrong
Lord, there’ll never be another place
In this world that I’ll call home

There’ll never be another place
In this world that I’ll call home