Top Alan Jackson Guitar Songs

In this collection, you'll find 12 of his most iconic and heartfelt tracks — from the fast-paced fun of "Chattahoochee" to the introspective simplicity of "Home" and "1976."

Whether you're looking for barroom classics like "Don’t Rock the Jukebox" or road-trip favorites like "Drive," each tutorial includes easy-to-follow chords, strumming tips, and full video demos to help you play along with confidence.

If you enjoy Alan Jackson’s music, be sure to check out my Alan Jackson Gospel guitar songs page for even more great songs to learn on guitar!

Chasin That Neon Rainbow serves as a semi-autobiographical anthem detailing the early struggles of a country singer, appearing as the fourth single from the 1990 debut album Here in the Real World. Alan Jackson co-wrote the track with Jim McBride, drawing from his own experiences playing in small Georgia honky-tonks before finding fame in Nashville.

Released in September 1990, the song became a major hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and number five on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

The music video features Jackson's real-life father, Eugene Jackson, playing a small role, which added a layer of personal authenticity to the production.

Chattahoochee came about while Jim McBride and Alan Jackson were trying to come up with an up-tempo type song back in 1993. Jim came up with the line "way down yonder on the chattahoochee" and the song evolved from there. Neither Jackson or McBride ever thought the song was going to be the monster hit that it became. 

The song became a #1 in both Canada and the US in 1993 and also won the Country Music Awards (CMA) Song Of The Year and Single Of The Year. There was a music video for the song which featured Alan Jackson water skiing on the Chattahoochee River.

The song hails from the 1993 album "A Lot About Livin". Download the free Alan Jackson Chattahoochee lyrics below.

Don't Rock The Jukebox is a high-energy tribute to traditional country music that serves as the title track and lead single for the 1991 album Don't Rock the Jukebox.

Written by Jackson along with Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall, the song reached the number one spot on the Billboard country charts in July 1991 and also topped the charts in Canada.

The inspiration for the lyrics came from a real-life incident at a truck stop in Virginia where a jukebox had a broken leg, leading Jackson's bass player to literally tell him not to rock the machine.

The music video is famous for featuring a cameo by George Jones, who is name-checked in the lyrics as an example of the "hard country" sound the narrator prefers over rock and roll. This track earned Jackson an ASCAP award for Country Song of the Year.

Drive is a deeply personal and nostalgic ballad that served as the second single and title track from the 2002 album Drive.

Written entirely by Alan Jackson as a tribute to his late father, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 2002 and spent four weeks at the top. The lyrics recount various memories of Jackson learning to drive a boat, a truck, and a Jeep under his father's guidance, eventually passing those lessons down to his own daughters.

The song was a massive crossover success, reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the accompanying music video won Video of the Year at both the ACM and CMA Awards. It is often cited as one of the most moving examples of father-son storytelling in the country genre.

Gone Country was written by Bob McDill, a songwriter active from 1960 to 2000. Alan Jackson recorded the song for his album "Who Am I," released in November 1994. McDill had 31 number one hits during his career and had songs recorded by artists like Ray Charles, Don Williams, and Joe Cocker.

Alan Jackson praised McDill as one of his favorite writers, saying he wished he had written the song himself.

The song "Gone Country" was the third single from Jackson's album. His previous singles, "Summertime Blues" and "Livin' On Love," both reached number one. "Gone Country" also topped the charts in the US and reached number two in Canada.

It Must Be Love is a rhythmic and soulful cover of the Don Williams classic, featured as the third single from the 1999 album Under the Influence. While the song was originally a number-one hit for Williams in 1979, Jackson’s version achieved the same feat, reaching the top of the Billboard country charts in late 2000.

Written by the legendary Bob McDill, the song was produced by Keith Stegall to maintain the smooth, "Gentle Giant" vibe of the original while adding Jackson’s distinctive Georgia baritone. The track also found success on the pop charts, cracking the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 at number 37. Interestingly,

Jackson’s decision to cover the song was part of a larger project to pay tribute to the artists who influenced his traditional style during his formative years.

It's Five o'clock Somewhere was recorded as a duet with Jimmy Buffett ... a Florida boy and a next door neighbor Georgia boy but neither of them wrote the song.

It got Jackson on the pop charts for the first time at #65 and became Buffett's first top 10 song since the 1970's when it came out in 2003. The song was a #1 hit on the country charts.

The song is from his Greatest Hits Vol II album.

Little Man is a socially conscious and poignant track that served as the fourth and final single from the 1998 album High Mileage. Written solely by Jackson, the song explores the decline of small-town businesses at the hands of large corporations, featuring a narrative that reflects his own childhood memories of storefronts in Georgia.

Released in May 1999, the song reached number three on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number four in Canada. The music video was shot entirely in black and white across several small towns in Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia, further emphasizing the somber and nostalgic tone of the lyrics.

This recording is notable for being one of Jackson's first singles to break into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 39.

Livin On Love is a quintessential neotraditional country song that was released in August 1994 as the second single from the album Who I Am. Written by Jackson, the song features a simple, mid-tempo arrangement that celebrates the idea that love is more valuable than material wealth, a theme that resonated strongly with fans and critics alike.

The track became his ninth number-one hit on the Billboard country charts and also reached the top of the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The music video, which portrays an elderly couple's enduring romance alongside younger couples, became a staple of CMT and helped the song achieve massive popularity.

Critics frequently highlight the song's "killer fiddle" and "chopping telecasters" as prime examples of the high-quality production that defined Jackson’s peak years in the 1990s.

Love's Got A Hold On You is a rhythmic, up-tempo hit that served as the final single from the 1991 album Don't Rock the Jukebox. Written by Carson Chamberlain and Keith Stegall, the song reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in July 1992, marking Jackson's fifth chart-topper.

The song is recognized for its infectious groove and a lighthearted lyrical approach to the overwhelming feeling of falling in love. While many of Jackson's hits from this era were self-penned, this track demonstrated his ability to select outside material that fit perfectly within his neotraditional framework.

The music video featured a playful narrative involving a "love doctor" and various comedic scenarios, which helped maintain Jackson's momentum as one of the most visible stars of the early 90s country boom.

Mercury Blues was first recorded back in 1948 by K.C. Douglas and was originally called Mercury Blues Boogie. Alan Jackson recorded the track for his 1993 album A Lot About Livin And A Little Bout Love.

Ford Motor Company used his track for a truck commercial and changed the lyrics in the commercial.

The song hit @2 in both the US and Canada.

Pop A Top is a spirited cover of the 1967 Nat Stuckey classic, serving as the lead single for the 1999 tribute album Under the Influence. While the song had previously been a hit for Jim Ed Brown, Jackson’s version brought the "honky-tonk bar" anthem to a new generation, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

The recording is famous for the realistic sound of a beer can being opened at the beginning of the track, a detail that became a signature of the song’s live performances. Produced by Keith Stegall, the track stayed true to the traditional country roots of the original while adding a modern, polished edge that fit perfectly with Jackson’s late-90s sound.

The song’s success helped the album achieve platinum status, proving that the classic "drinking song" format still held massive commercial appeal.

She's Got The Rhythm is a clever, wordplay-driven track that served as the lead single from the 1992 album A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). Co-written by Jackson and Randy Travis, the song was a major commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in December 1992 and spending two weeks at the top.

The collaboration between two of the leaders of the neotraditional movement was a significant event in Nashville, and the song’s traditional arrangement featured a heavy dose of fiddle and steel guitar. The music video, directed by Jim Shea, featured a vibrant, colorful aesthetic that contrasted with the song's "bluesy" title.

This track earned Jackson an award for Country Song of the Year at the 1993 ASCAP Country Music Awards.

A House With No Curtains is a somber, traditional country ballad that appeared as the sixth and final single from the 1996 album Everything I Love.

Written by Jackson and Jim McBride, the song explores the emotional isolation and "coldness" of a home after a relationship has ended, using the lack of curtains as a metaphor for a life with nothing to hide and no warmth left.

Released in January 1998, the song reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks chart, which famously broke Jackson's record-setting streak of 27 consecutive top-ten hits.

Despite its lower chart position compared to his usual output, the song received critical acclaim for its "country-gothic" composition and was compared by some reviewers to the early, emotionally raw work of George Jones.

Here In The Real World is the landmark title track and second single from Jackson's 1990 debut album, Here in the Real World. Written by Jackson and Mark Irwin, the song served as his commercial breakthrough, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and hitting number one in Canada.

The lyrics explore the stark contrast between the idealized romance found in movies and the painful reality of a breakup, a theme delivered with a heartbroke sincerity that helped establish Jackson's persona as a modern traditionalist.

Interestingly, the song was covered by several legends including Glen Campbell and George Jones, with Jones including it on his final studio album. The music video concludes with a brief snippet of Gene Autry singing "Back in the Saddle Again," paying homage to Jackson's musical roots.

Home is a deeply sentimental and autobiographical track that first appeared on Jackson's 1990 debut album Here in the Real World, though it wasn't released as a single until 1996 to promote The Greatest Hits Collection.

Written by Jackson during his first month in Nashville while he was feeling homesick, the song is a tribute to his parents and the modest house in Georgia where he was raised. Upon its eventual release as a single, it reached number three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number four in Canada.

The track is recognized for its straightforward, honest emotion and its portrayal of family values, which Billboard magazine described as a "homespun masterpiece." Before its official single release, the original 1989 recording had served as the B-side for several of Jackson's biggest early hits.

I'll Try is an honest and realistic love ballad that was released in January 1996 as the second single from The Greatest Hits Collection. Written entirely by Jackson, the song was a massive success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

The lyrics were a deliberate attempt by Jackson to write a "positive" love song that avoided the "sappy" clichés often found in the genre, instead opting for a pledge of faithfulness that acknowledges the imperfections of the narrator and the difficulties of a long-term relationship.

The radio edit of the song famously changed the line "We both know damn well it's not easy together" to "We both know too well" to suit broadcast standards of the time. The track stands as one of the two newly recorded songs for his first hits compilation.

Remember When is a sprawling, career-defining ballad that served as the second single from the 2003 compilation Greatest Hits Volume II. Written solely by Alan Jackson as a reflection on his marriage to his wife, Denise, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in early 2004 and spent two weeks at the top.

The lyrics move through the decades of a relationship, from the first meeting to raising children and growing old together, delivered with an intimacy that made it an instant classic for weddings and anniversaries. The music video, featuring home movies and Jackson dancing with his wife, won several awards and added to the song’s deep emotional impact.

This track also achieved significant crossover success, reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Someday is a mid-tempo, neotraditional hit that was released in August 1991 as the second single from the album Don't Rock the Jukebox.

Written by Jackson and Jim McBride, the song became his third number-one hit on the Billboard country charts and also reached the top of the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The lyrics tell the story of a man promising to "someday" be the person his partner needs him to be, though the tone suggests a sense of regret and the difficulty of change.

The production is characterized by a prominent fiddle melody and a steady, rhythmic arrangement that fit the neotraditional boom of the early 90s perfectly. The song’s success helped solidify Jackson’s status as a top-tier country star, proving that he could consistently deliver hits that were both commercially successful and artistically traditional.

The Older I Get is a reflective and wise ballad that was released in October 2017 as a stand-alone single before being included on the 2021 album Where Have You Gone.

Written by Hailey Whitters, Adam Wright, and Sarah Allison Turner, the song marks a later-career highlight for Jackson, reaching the top 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The lyrics explore the perspective that comes with age, focusing on gratitude for the time spent and the people loved rather than the pursuit of youth or material success.

The track features a stripped-back, acoustic-heavy arrangement that puts Jackson’s weathered and resonant baritone front and center. While it didn't reach the chart-topping heights of his 90s work, the song received critical acclaim for its maturity and its ability to connect with an audience that had grown up alongside his music.

Tonight I Climbed The Wall is a somber and emotionally heavy ballad that served as the fourth single from the 1992 album A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). Written by Jackson, the song explores the emotional distance that can grow between a married couple, using the "wall" as a metaphor for the barriers they have built over time.

Released in early 1993, the song reached number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number two in Canada. The track is recognized for its traditional arrangement and its honest, unvarnished look at the difficulties of maintaining a long-term relationship.

Despite its heavy subject matter, the song became a significant hit, further demonstrating Jackson’s ability to take complex emotional themes and make them accessible to a wide audience through his sincere and understated delivery.

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning is a career-defining masterpiece that served as the lead single for the 2002 album Drive.

Written by Jackson in a sudden burst of inspiration following the September 11 attacks, the song debuted at the CMA Awards in November 2001 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, where it remained for five weeks.

Because the live debut was so powerful, the music video is actually a recording of that award show performance, featuring Jackson on stool with an orchestra and back-up singers. The performance was so moving that the audience remained silent for several seconds before erupting into a standing ovation, a moment captured perfectly in the video.

Interestingly, Jackson initially felt "squeamish" about recording the song because he did not want to appear to be capitalizing on a tragedy, only proceeding after encouragement from his wife and producer.

1976 is a nostalgic, up-tempo track that appears on the 2008 album Good Time. While it was not released as a commercial single, the song is a fan favorite for its vivid lyrical imagery of a bicentennial-era summer filled with muscle cars and young love.

Although there was no official high-budget music video produced for the track, it was a centerpiece of his "Good Time" tour, often accompanied by vintage photo montages on the big screens.

Written by Jackson, the song captures the specific neotraditional "bounce" that defined his peak years, featuring prominent fiddle and steel guitar. It remains a definitive example of his ability to write "memory songs" that resonate with anyone who grew up in the rural South during the mid-70s.

A Little Bluer Than That is a somber and beautifully written ballad that serves as the opening track of the 2002 album Drive. Co-written by Mark Irwin and Irene Kelley, the song explores the deep shades of heartbreak with a classic country sensibility.

While it was never released as a radio single, it is frequently cited by critics as one of the best "pure country" songs in Jackson's entire catalog. No official music video was produced for the track, but Irene Kelley, the co-writer, provides the haunting harmony vocals on the recording, which adds a layer of authenticity to the production.

The song is recognized for its traditional arrangement, putting Jackson's resonant baritone at the forefront of a sparse, acoustic-driven mix that emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Bug In My Margarita is a humorous and tropical-flavored track from the 1999 album Under the Influence. While the album was primarily a collection of covers of his musical heroes, this track provided a lighthearted moment of "beach country" that Jackson would later perfect with hits like "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere."

The song was not a single and did not have an official music video, but it became a popular "deep cut" during his summer tour dates. Written by Kim Williams and Randy Boudreaux, the lyrics tell a comedic story of a vacation gone wrong, delivered with Jackson's trademark dry wit.

The recording features a bright, percussion-heavy arrangement that showcased his ability to blend traditional honky-tonk with a more relaxed, island-inspired sound.

Had It Not Been You is a sincere and intimate love song that appears on the 2012 album Thirty Miles West. Written by Jackson, the song serves as a tribute to the enduring support and love of his wife, Denise, throughout his high-profile career.

While the track was not released as a single and does not have a formal music video, it is a significant piece of the album's narrative of family and resilience.

The production is notable for its understated elegance, featuring a clean acoustic guitar pocket and a vocal performance that feels remarkably personal. For fans who follow his later-career work, this track is a rewarding example of Jackson's ability to write mature love songs that avoid the sappy clichés of modern pop-country.

I Wish I Could Back Up is a clever and nostalgic track from the 2008 album Good Time. Written by Jackson, the song uses the metaphor of "backing up" a vehicle to describe the desire to return to a simpler time in life.

Though it was not released as a commercial single, the song’s relatable message about the passage of time made it a standout on the album. There was no official music video released for the song, but its rhythmic, fiddle-driven arrangement made it a favorite for live performances.

Interestingly, the song features backing vocals by John Wesley Ryles, a Nashville veteran who provided harmonies on many of Jackson’s biggest hits, helping to maintain the consistent "Jackson sound" that fans had loved since the early 90s.

Jim And Jack And Hank is a spirited "breakup" anthem that served as the lead single for the 2015 album Angels and Alcohol.

Written by Jackson, the song reached the top 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and features a lighthearted take on finding comfort in Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, and Hank Williams after a relationship ends.

The music video is an energetic, performance-based clip that features Jackson and his band playing in a rustic setting, interspersed with footage of fans enjoying the traditional country lifestyle. A unique bit of trivia regarding the video is that it was filmed during Jackson's "Keepin' It Country" tour, capturing the genuine energy of his live audience.

The track is recognized for its "boogie-woogie" piano and driving rhythm, proving that Jackson could still deliver a classic honky-tonk hit well into his third decade.

Small Town Southern Man is a touching tribute to Jackson's father and ancestry, released in 2007 as the lead single from the album Good Time.

The song was a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in March 2008. The music video is a beautifully shot, nostalgic piece that features black-and-white photography and vintage-style footage depicting the life of a rural laborer and his family.

Interestingly, the video features a brief cameo by Jackson's mother, Mattie, and various family photos that add a deeply personal layer to the visual storytelling. While the song reflects Jackson's own father, he has often stated that it is a tribute to anyone with a rural upbringing, making it a universal anthem for his core audience.

The One You're Waiting On is a classic "heartbreak in a bar" ballad that served as the second single from the 2015 album Angels and Alcohol. Written by Adam Wright and Shannon Wright, the song explores the perspective of a narrator watching someone wait for a partner who clearly isn't coming.

While it was a modest hit on the country charts, it received high praise from critics for its traditional sound. The music video is a moody, atmospheric clip filmed in a dimly lit bar, emphasizing the loneliness and longing of the lyrics. A unique detail about the video is that it stars Jackson’s middle daughter, Ali, who plays the lead role of the woman waiting at the bar.

This casting choice added a special family connection to the project, much like many of Jackson's most personal visual works.

Tryin Not To Love You is a mid-tempo, rhythmic track from the 2021 album Where Have You Gone. Written by Jackson, the song features a classic neotraditional arrangement that showcases his enduring commitment to the "hard country" sound.

While the song was not a radio single, it was supported by a creative and lighthearted music video that became a viral hit. The video features the famous actor and comedian John Ratzenberger (of Cheers fame) as a "love doctor" or counselor trying to help Jackson through his romantic woes.

The comedic interplay between Ratzenberger and Jackson provides a fun contrast to the song’s theme of persistent love. This visual treatment reminded fans of Jackson's long history of incorporating humor and celebrity cameos into his music videos, a tradition dating back to the early 90s.

You Can Always Come Home is a poignant and supportive ballad written by Jackson for his daughters, featured on the 2015 album Angels and Alcohol.

The song explores the idea that no matter where life takes them, their childhood home and their father's love will always be a refuge. While it was not released as a commercial single, the song's emotional weight made it a favorite for graduation and family events. The music video is a simple but moving compilation of home movies and personal photographs showing Jackson’s daughters growing up over the years.

This "living scrapbook" style of video has become a hallmark of Jackson’s later career, allowing him to share his personal life with his fans in a way that feels genuine and unscripted.

Just As I Am is a beautifully stripped-back rendition of the classic 19th-century hymn, featured on the 2013 album Precious Memories Volume II.

This project served as the second gospel installment in Alan’s career, following the massive success of his first collection of hymns which he originally recorded as a Christmas gift for his mother.

While this specific track was not released as a commercial radio single and did not have a formal high-budget music video, it remains a centerpiece of his gospel repertoire, often accompanied in digital spaces by heartfelt lyric videos or live performance footage from the Ryman Auditorium.

The song was written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835 with music later composed by William B. Bradbury, and Jackson’s version is noted for its simple, acoustic arrangement produced by Keith Stegall.

Midnight In Montgomery came about one stormy night in Montgomery Alabama when Alan Jackson spent an evening there and payed a visit to the local cemetery to pay his respects to Hank Williams who is buried there.

Upon returning to Nashville, Jackson sat down with a writing friend of his, Don Sampso,n and together co-wrote this song called Midnight In Montgomery as a tribute song to Hank Williams. 

The song hails from the 1991 album "Don't Rock The Jukebox".

Precious Memories is a traditional gospel song that was written back in 1925 by JBF Wright. Many artists besides Alan Jackson have recorded this one over the years including Aretha Franklin, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and a few others.

This song was the title of the album that Alan Jackson released back in 2006 which contained a collection of 15 old traditional gospel songs. No single were released from that album but reached #1 on the Top Country Albums chart as well as obtaining a Platinum status in sales.