Gone Country

Alan Jackson's tenth Country chart-topper tells the stories of a lounge singer, a folk singer and a classically trained singer who each find their way to Nashville. The song was penned by Bob McDill, whose other hit tunes included Doug Stone's "Why Didn't I Think of Tha,t" Don Williams' "Good Ole Boys Like Me," and Pam Tillis' "All the Good Ones Are Gone." McDill himself had initially tried to write rock and pop songs, before shifting his focus to country music after hearing George Jones' sing "A Good Year For The Roses." Jackson wrote regarding this track in the liner notes for his The Greatest Hits Collection: "When I first heard this song I fell in love with it. I wish that I'd written it, 'cause it says a lot of things that I'd like to say. I think it's just a fun song actually, celebrating how country music has become more widespread and accepted by all types of people all over the country."

When Alan Jackson was asked to use a prerecorded version of "Gone Country" at the 1994 CMA Awards he didn't like it. Jackson protested by having his drummer perform with no drum sticks in his hand throughout his whole performance.