5 Classics Covered by Alan Jackson – Original Versions

Few country music artists can match the success and longevity of Alan Jackson. After nearly four decades in the industry, Jackson’s career record sales registers north of 60 million. He has been inducted into both the Georgia Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame. AJ also boasts three CMA Entertainer of the Year awards, multiple Grammy Awards, and over 30 #1 hits. Against all odds, Alan Jackson finally caught the neon rainbow, though he never forgets where he comes from.

The Georgia native moved to Nashville in 1985. By 1990, Alan was one of its fastest rising stars. Over the next 35 years, AJ has remained a Music City stalwart. Now retired at age 67 due to health reasons, the superstar has time for reflection. “I’ve changed, but I’m still pretty much the same person who came to Nashville all those years ago,” relates Jackson. “I kept what I love and believe in.” That includes his love for traditional country music and the artists who made those songs come alive.   

A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alan’s prowess with the pen is well documented. He never needed to resort to covering other artist’s songs to generate hits. However, AJ did cover a lot of songs. And a lot of them became hits. In many cases, Jackson’s versions are better known than the originals. But this is the core of Alan as an artist. These are the songs that molded him and he has always been proud to honor them. Here are the original versions of five of Alan Jackson’s most noteworthy cover songs.  

“Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran

A wide variety of artists have released a cut of this rockabilly staple including The Beach Boys, Rush, and The Who. Country icon Buck Owens covered the song as well. But Jackson’s 1994 version of “Summertime Blues” is the most successful of any iteration, topping the charts in both the United States and Canada. The tune was originally released by trailblazer Eddie Cochran in the summer of 1958. It was produced by Cochran and co-written by him and his manager Jerry Capehar. This song expressed the perfect teenage angst for a rapidly changing America. Cochran’s original reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been used in numerous films and television shows.

“Pop a Top” – Jim Ed Brown

Texas songwriter Nat Stuckey penned numerous hits for himself and other artists from the mid-60s to the late 80s. Among them are “Diggin’ Up Bones” by Randy Travis. But without a doubt, one of Stuckey’s most enduring tunes is “Pop a Top.” It adheres to the full proof country music formula of a guy doing his best to drown his heartbreak. Alan Jackson released the tune as the lead single from his 1999 covers album Under the Influence, peaking at #6. Stuckey initially recorded his version in 1966, but it was Jim Ed Brown who put the song on the map. Brown’s cut peaked at #3 on the country charts in 1967.   

“Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” – Charley Pride

Released in 1999, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” was a natural fit for Jackson’s Under the Influence album. Primarily because of the man who made it famous. “I loved Charley Pride. He was one of my heroes,” says Alan. “He loved real country music and songs that said things he wanted to say.” This song was released by Charley in 1971. A legend by any measure, Pride had 29 career #1 singles. However, this one became his signature tune. It was written by Ben Peters and produced by “Cowboy” Jack Clement, both members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Charley’s version was a huge crossover hit. It not only topped the country charts but made it to #21 on the Billboard Hot 100.   

“That’s the Way Love Goes” – Merle Haggard

One of the finest pedigrees any song could ask for. Written by Whitey Shafer and Lefty Frizzell, this tune was released by Frizzell in September 1973. In December of 1973, country music sensation Johnny Rodriguez issued his version which topped the US Hot Country charts. Ten years later, Merle Haggard covered the song as a tribute to his hero Lefty. In 2021, Alan Jackson covered “That’s the Way Love Goes” as a tribute to his hero Merle. Jackson says simply, “I have loved the song and when Merle died, I wanted to do something for him…I was proud to do it.” The Hag’s rendition rocketed to #1 in multiple countries and netted him the 1985 Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance.    

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” – George Jones

“That melody is just so sad,” Jackson says. “And then to hear George sing it – it’s just one of those magical moments when the right song finds the right voice.” The song is “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and the voice could only be George Jones. Dubbed “The Possum”, Jones just may be the most influential country artist of the second half of the twentieth century. But in 1980, The Possum was lingering in burnout territory. That’s when producer Billy Sherrill convinced George to record a melancholic ballad written by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” went on to win song of the year, redefine Jones’ career, and magnify the relevance of country music. In May of 2013, Alan performed the tune at George’s funeral.