Introduction:
“The Blues Man,” originally by Hank Williams Jr., was later covered by Alan Jackson on his 1999 album Under the Influence. This album was Jackson’s tribute to his musical influences, covering iconic tracks by artists such as George Jones, Charley Pride, and Jimmy Buffett. Jackson’s rendition of “The Blues Man” offered a heartfelt and deeply personal take on the song, capturing the struggles of a musician’s life—its loneliness, vulnerability, and dependence on love for redemption. Jackson’s version is known for its warm, sincere delivery, which resonated with listeners and brought new attention to the song despite its modest peak at No. 37 on the charts.
The cover has become a fan favorite, largely due to Jackson’s emotional connection to the lyrics, which he has stated remind him of his own journey in the music industry and the love and support he found with his wife, Denise. His performance at the 2000 ACM Awards, where he surprised the audience by bringing out Hank Williams Jr. to join him, is especially memorable. This live duet underscored the friendship and mutual respect between the two country stars, and the audience’s reaction was a testament to the song’s impact and legacy.
Alan Jackson’s rendition of “The Blues Man” remains a classic within his discography, cherished by fans for its raw emotion and homage to traditional country music storytelling. The song continues to showcase Jackson’s dedication to honoring the genre’s roots and his commitment to keeping the essence of classic country alive.
Video:
Lyrics:
“The Blues Man”
A natural born guitar ringer
Kind of clinger
To sad ole songs.He’s not a walk behinder
He’s a new note finder
His name’s a reminder
Of a blues man that’s already gone.
So he started drinkin’
Took some things that messed up his thinkin’
He was sure sinkin’
When she came along.
He was alone in the spot light
Not too much left in sight
She changed all that one night
When she sang him this song
Hey, baby I love you
Hey, baby I need you
Hey, baby you ain’t got to prove to me
You’re some kind of macho man
You’ve wasted so much of your life
Runnin’ through the dark nights
Let me shine a little love light
Down on that blues man.
He got so sick from speedin’
All the things they said he was needin’
If he is to keep on pleasin’
All of his fans
He got cuffed on dirt roads
He got sued over no shows
She came and took all that ole load
Down off that blues man
And he said…
Hey, baby I love you too
Hey, baby I need you
Hey, baby I do get tired
Of this travellin band
I’m over 40 years old now
Nights would be cold now
If you hadn’t stuck it out
With this blues man
He’s over 40 years old now
Nights would be so cold now
If she hadn’t hung around
With that blues man.