Alan Jackson's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere": A Surprising Journey To Success

Alan Jackson scored one of the biggest hits of his entire career when he recorded "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" with Jimmy Buffett in 2003. However, he was not the artist that the songwriters initially had in mind. This catchy tune underwent a unique journey before it found its way into Jackson's capable hands. In fact, several other artists had passed on the song before it reached its eventual home!

Co-written by Jim "Moose" Brown and Don Rollins, the original demo of "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" was described as "very island-ly," featuring acoustic guitars and steel drums, which gave it a distinct "Margaritaville" feel. It was a reflection of the tropical vibes that many artists were interested in at the time, and it was inspired by a phrase that Rollins often heard during his days as a band teacher.

The two songwriters quickly penned this catchy tune, including a nod to Jimmy Buffett from the very beginning, long before he was involved in the recording. Rollins shared that the song was meant to be a light-hearted take on the popular "What would Jesus do?" bumper stickers, and the concept turned out to resonate perfectly with the situation at hand. Their intention was to create something fun, and little did they know how successful it would become.

Biography of Alan Jackson

Table of Contents

• The Creative Process Behind "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
• Impact and Legacy of the Song

The Creative Process Behind "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"

Brown and Rollins originally intended the song for a newly signed artist, Colt Prather. At that time, Brown was working on a project for Sony, where the record label had specifically requested beach-themed songs with a Buffett flair. However, the label passed on "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," and it was not the only one — country sensation Kenny Chesney also turned it down!

According to Brown, Kenny Chesney was looking to move away from beachy sounds. He mentioned in a 2010 interview that if they had presented the song to Chesney three years earlier, he likely would have jumped at the chance to record it, but the timing just wasn't right. This is a reminder of how crucial timing can be in the music industry.

When Jackson finally expressed interest in the song, the writers were surprised. Rollins admitted that he never thought someone as traditional as Alan Jackson would be interested. However, once he learned that Jackson wanted to collaborate with Buffett, everything began to fall into place.

Impact and Legacy of the Song

Released on June 2, 2003, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" quickly became a massive hit, reaching the top of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart for eight weeks starting August 9, 2003. It also crossed over to the mainstream Hot 100, peaking at No. 17. This success not only solidified Jackson's reputation but also won the song a CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year!

The song's catchy lyrics and laid-back vibe resonated with audiences, allowing it to transcend the country genre. Its success serves as a testament to the importance of creativity, collaboration, and, of course, being in the right place at the right time.

In conclusion, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" is much more than just a catchy tune; it's a reflection of the unpredictable nature of the music industry. The journey from concept to chart-topping hit is a fascinating story of creativity, timing, and collaboration. It's a reminder that sometimes, the songs that are meant to be heard take a winding path to find their audience!