Alan Jackson – Little Man

Introduction:

Alan Jackson’s “Little Man” is a poignant country ballad that delves into the fading traditions of small-town America. Released in 1999 as the fourth single from his album “High Mileage”, the song resonated deeply with audiences, reaching number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles charts.

The song’s lyrics paint a nostalgic picture of a bygone era, where small businesses flourished and communities were tightly knit. Jackson sings about the “little man,” the hardworking entrepreneur who built towns and nurtured local economies. However, the song also laments the decline of these small businesses in the face of corporate globalization and economic shifts.

With its heartfelt melody and evocative imagery, “Little Man” became a powerful anthem for those who felt disconnected from the rapid pace of modern life. It captured the longing for simpler times, when people knew their neighbors and valued community over competition. The song’s success solidified Jackson’s reputation as a storyteller who could connect with audiences on a deeply personal level.

Beyond its commercial success, “Little Man” also garnered critical acclaim. It was praised for its thoughtful lyrics and Jackson’s emotive performance. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and its ability to capture the essence of the American dream.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Little Man”

I remember walk’in round the court square sidewalk
Lookin’ in windows at things I couldn’t want
There’s johnson’s hardware and morgans jewelry
And the ol’ Lee king’s apothecary
They ware the little man
The little man

I go back now and the stores are empty
Except for an old coke sign dated 1950
Boarded up like they never existed
Or renovated and called historic districts
There goes the little man
There goes the little man

Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

He pumped your gas and he cleaned your glass
And one cold rainy night he fixed your flat
The new stores came where you do it yourself
You buy a lotto ticket and food off the shelf
Forget the little man
Forget about that little man

He hung on there for a few more years
But he couldn’t sell slurpees
And he wouldn’t sell beer
Now the bank rents the station
To a man down the road
And they sell velvet Elvis and
Second-hand clothes
There goes little man
There goes another little man

Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

Now the stores are lined up in a concrete strip
You can buy the whole world in just one trip
And save a penny cause it’s jumbo size
They don’t even realize
They’er killin’ the little man
Oh the little man

Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

It wasn’t long ago when I was a child
An old black man came with his mule and his plow
He broke the ground where we grew our garden
Back before we’d all forgoten
about the little man
The little man
Long live the little man
God bless the little man