Introduction:
“The Best Keeps Getting Better” is a heartfelt ballad by American country music artist Alan Jackson, featured as the closing track on his sixteenth studio album, Freight Train, released in 2010. Renowned for his traditional country style, Jackson delivers a poignant reflection on enduring love and the evolving nature of long-term relationships in this song.
In “The Best Keeps Getting Better,” Jackson explores the journey of a couple whose love deepens over time, despite life’s inevitable ups and downs. The lyrics convey a narrative of growth and appreciation, likening a mature relationship to a fine, aged wine that improves with time. This theme resonates with listeners who value the beauty of lasting commitment and the rewards of navigating life’s challenges together.
Musically, the song stays true to Jackson’s signature country sound, featuring traditional instrumentation that complements the sincerity of the lyrics. The gentle melody and soothing rhythm create an intimate atmosphere, allowing the emotional depth of the song to shine through. As the final track on Freight Train, it provides a fitting conclusion to an album that balances themes of love, work, and life’s simple pleasures.
While “The Best Keeps Getting Better” was not released as a single and therefore did not chart independently, the Freight Train album itself received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album showcases Jackson’s consistent ability to produce quality country music that honors traditional sounds while remaining relevant in the contemporary music scene. Songs like “Hard Hat and a Hammer” and “Till the End” (a duet with Lee Ann Womack) highlight the album’s exploration of working-class life and enduring love, themes that are central to Jackson’s body of work.
In summary, “The Best Keeps Getting Better” exemplifies Alan Jackson’s talent for crafting songs that speak to the heart of human experience. Its placement on the Freight Train album reinforces the record’s overarching messages of resilience, love, and the passage of time, solidifying Jackson’s status as a stalwart of country music storytelling.