Two Legendary Songs by Alan Jackson

We’re going to explore two powerful songs by one of country music's most beloved artists, Alan Jackson. Your host, Michael Pezent of 2nd Round Music will take you on a journey into the stories behind the songs "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)". You can also hear Michael play both of these songs on his YouTube Channel. Come take a ride with us and enjoy the music!

Link to my performance of these songs on YouTube:https://youtu.be/JqrNr_mQd3A

My website: 2ndRoundMusic.com

Transcript

Episode #1: Alan Jackson’s ‘Drive (For Daddy Gene)’ and ‘Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)’

Hello friends and music lovers and welcome to the first episode of the Two for Tuesday Podcast, where we’ll take a deep dive into the stories behind the songs and artists that have shaped the music that we’ve listened to for years. Genres like traditional country, classic rock, Southern rock and a little R & B. I’m your host, Michael Pezent of 2nd Round Music, and before we get started, I want to take a minute to explain the concept of this podcast, give you a little history behind where the idea came from and some background into who I am. I’ve been a musician now for almost 40 years dating back to my teens. I’ve played in several bands and been an avid music lover all my life dating back to when I was a child listening to vinyl records on my parents RCA turntable that looked like a piece of furniture. Some of you may remember those. I’m now a solo acoustic musician playing local gigs and covering all the music that I’ll talk about in this podcast. 
Back during COVID shutdown, I started playing Facebook Lives on Friday nights. And since I'm a former high school football coach, I called them Friday Night Lights. I then added two more. Sunday Hymns was on Sunday afternoons and then I took the old concept that some radio station’s have used and every Tuesday night I would pick an artist or band and I would not only play two songs but I’d give some background history about either the songs or the artists. So one day at church a young man (Mr. Will Morris)  who was a listener of my Tuesday Lives told me I needed to turn these into a podcast and now a few years later, here we are. 
Now for the concept. Each episode will either be about two songs or three songs by an artist or it will be about the artist and I’ll pick two or three songs to play. Now speaking of playing, I’ll perform these songs on my YouTube channel and you can head over there to hear them. A link to my channel will be posted in the show notes.

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So now today we’re going to explore two powerful songs by one of country music's most beloved artists, Alan Jackson. Why Alan Jackson you may ask. Well Alan is no doubt a country music legend, but he also just played his last live performance on May 17th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alan has contracted a disease, oddly enough called CMT(Charcot (shahr-KOH)-Marie-Tooth) which according to the Mayo Clinic is a group of inherited disorders that cause peripheral nerve damage and also causes neuropathy. We’ll talk more about Alan in a later podcast, but for now, let’s get into songs.

The songs we’ll focus on are “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Both of these songs were the 16th and 17th respectively songs on a 23 song set list at his last concert. Both tracks not only showcase Alan's incredible songwriting ability but also resonate deeply with listeners on emotional and personal levels. They were also both from the “Drive” album that was released back in 2002. A little more about the album before we get into the songs: At the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards, this album was nominated for 10 awards, winning Album of the Year and Video of the Year for the video to "Drive (For Daddy Gene). Drive, the album, was the 10th studio album for Alan and debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, his first number-one debut, and debuted also at number one on the Top Country Albums chart, his sixth number-one album. The album also was certified 4× Platinum in May 2003. That’s four million copies sold. An incredible feat!

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Segment 1: “Drive (For Daddy Gene)”
Host: Let’s start with the song “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” Released in 2002 as the 2nd single of the album Drive, this song is a heartfelt tribute to Alan’s father, who played a significant role in shaping his love for music and life. Gene, as he was known, had passed away on Jan 31st, 2000. I remember Alan saying once that he didn’t want to write the typical song honoring a significant person in someone’s life. 

Background
Now as you may know, Alan grew up in the small town of Newnan, Georgia, a little over half-way between Atlanta and the state line between Ga and Al right off of I-85, where his father taught him many valuable lessons including how to drive. The song reflects Alan's nostalgia for his childhood, particularly the time spent with his dad driving an ol’ boat and an ol’ truck. It’s a universal theme—many of us have memories tied to our parents and the simple moments that define our relationships.

Lyrics and Themes
In the lyrics, Alan reminisces about the joy of driving with his father, capturing the essence of those not only childhood days but also the days as a parent teaching his girls to drive. The chorus beautifully encapsulates this sentiment:

As Alan sings in the first chorus: "Just a little lake across the Alabama line, but I was king of the ocean…" or the 2nd chorus: “Just a dirt road with trash on each side, but I was Mario Andretti…” or the 3rd and last chorus: “Just a little valley by river where we’d ride, but I was high on a mountain, when Daddy let me drive”

These lines evoke a sense of warmth and connection, emphasizing the bond between father and child. The song also touches on themes of legacy and the lessons passed down through generations. 
Alan’s storytelling is vivid, allowing listeners to visualize those moments and feel the emotions tied to them. This is one of the talents that make Alan a legend. 

Musical Composition
Musically, “Drive” features Alan’s signature blend of traditional country with a contemporary feel. I’m not going to musically ‘nerd-out’, but the structure of this song is in the key of ‘B’ with a basic 1-5-4 chord structure in the verses and throughout most of the chorus with the exception of a 6 minor in the chorus. Its tempo is at 125 BPM and 4/4 timing. It’s a great sing-along song and I usually get a great reception when I cover in my gigs.

Reception
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” was well-received, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and being named the #2 song of the year in 2002. The song also ranked #52 in the 2024 Rolling Stone Magazine 200 Greatest Country Songs Of All Time list. This song resonated with fans not just for its catchy melody but for its emotional depth. Many listeners shared their own stories of driving with their parents, making it a relatable anthem for family connections.

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Segment 2: “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”
Host: Now, let’s shift gears and talk about “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” This song was the first song to be released on the Drive album and was released in 2001, shortly after the tragic events of September 11. It stands as one of Alan’s most poignant and impactful songs of his career, capturing the nation’s grief and confusion in the aftermath of the attacks.

Background
Written in October after 9/11, Alan felt compelled to express the emotions that many were experiencing. He was quoted in an article written by Linda Owen in Today’s Christian magazine as saying, "I didn't want to write a patriotic song,"  "And I didn't want it to be vengeful, either. But I didn't want to forget about how I felt and how I knew other people felt that day." The article also stated Alan was awakened on a Sunday morning around 4am with the tune ringing in his head. So he ran downstairs and got his hand-held recorder and sang the chorus of the song. Later that morning, he sat down to finish the song. Now Alan was initially reluctant to record this song, much less release it because he didn’t want people thinking he was taking advantage of this historic tragedy. But with the persuasion of his wife, Denise, his band and producer Keith Stegall, he decided to perform it and receive a standing ovation at the CMA Awards show on November 7th, 2001. Radio stations pulled that performance and started playing on air, so the song was already on the charts before his label even released it. The song debuted at #25 based almost solely on the air TV recording and by the end of December, it was a number 1 hit.

The song reflects on a moment in history that changed the world, and it serves as a reminder of how fragile life is and the importance of coming together in times of crisis.

Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics are deeply introspective, asking listeners to reflect on their own experiences during that fateful day. Other adjectives that describe this song by critics, ‘moving, deeply personal, self-effacingly simple, poignant, understatedly eloquent’. The basic theme of this song is that love is the answer. Alan paraphrased 1st Corinthians, 13:13: "Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us/And the greatest is love."
He also set the tone with the haunting opening lines:

"Where were you when the world stopped turning / That September day?"

Alan poses questions that resonate with anyone who lived through that moment, evoking memories of fear, loss, and solidarity. The song addresses themes of love, hope, and the need for compassion in the face of tragedy. Alan was once quoted, "I think it was Hank Williams who said, 'God writes the songs, I just hold the pen.' That's the way I felt with this song."

Musical Composition
Musically, this song is stripped down and raw, with a simple arrangement that allows Alan’s voice and the lyrics to take center stage. His baritone delivery is heartfelt, conveying the weight of the emotions tied to the lyrics. The song is written in the key of C major with a basic 1-4-5-6m style in 4/4 time and 115 BPM tempo.

Reception
“Where Were You” received widespread acclaim, earning several awards, including the CMA Award for Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Alan also won his first Grammy with this song being Best Country Song in 2003. The song also ranked 28th on the CMT 100 Greatest Songs list, and has since become an anthem of remembrance, often played at memorials and commemorative events.

Segment 3: Comparing the Two Songs
Host: While “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” tackle vastly different themes, both songs showcase Alan’s ability to connect with listeners on a personal level.

Storytelling: Alan’s storytelling is a common thread in both songs. He captures the essence of human experience, whether it’s the joy of childhood or the pain of loss. This is why Alan is a country music legend. The genre is known for its storytelling songs and Alan has a candid ability to tell stories in his songs. As exemplified in these two classic hit songs. That’s what makes both songs so popular. 

Conclusion
So as we wrap-up today’s episode, Alan Jackson’s “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” are powerful examples of his amazing artistry and ability to connect with listeners. These songs remind us of the importance of family, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Thank you for joining me today on Two for Tuesday Podcast with your host Michael Pezent of 2nd Round Music. I hope you enjoyed this exploration of two incredible songs by a country music legend, Alan Jackson. If you have any thoughts or memories tied to these songs, I’d love to hear from you. Just type your comments below if you’re listening on YouTube or drop me an email. You can also click the link in the description to hear me perform these songs. Don’t forget to subscribe or follow, click the ‘like’ button and share this with all your music loving friends. So remember we love you and we need you and tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories behind the music we love. God bless you and see ya next time!