1993 | Peak: #1
This timeless classic won CMA trophies for both Single and Song of the year, and was Jackson’s signature song for the rest of the nineties.
Why did it work so well?
Perhaps because it looked back on the innocence of adolescence with bemusement and fondness for that transitional period of life.
Or perhaps because it rhymed Chattahoochee with “hoochie coochie.”
Regardless, with so many of our male stars today in a permanent state of adolescence, “Chattahoochee” is a refreshing reminder that your late teens should shape who you are today, not who you wish you could still be.
Oh, and if you came to country music in the current century, this is the song that “Red Dirt Road” ripped off.
Written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride
Grade: A
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW5UEW2kYvc
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Do you really believe that when B&D wrote “Red Dirt Road” they were ripping off “Chattahoochee”? I find that hard to believe. Is the theme in the latter so unique?
I think “Red Dirt” is the better song. Loved the line from Red Dirt:
“Learned that happiness on earth,
Ain’t just for high achievers”
Fantastic review Kevin.
I wanna loathe this song, but I just can’t…I wouldn’t even call myself an AJ fan, either.
For me this is one of those songs that I want to like, but have a hard time getting into. I guess the instrumental hook doesn’t quite cut it for me, but for the most part, I generally agree with all of Kevin’s points in the review.
Growing up in Georgia not far from the Chattahoochee River, this song was a huge deal in my childhood. I’ll never forget the first time I really heard it; it was part of the laser show at Stone Mountain. Been one of my favorite songs ever since.
I love this one, particularly the the musical hook. I’ve never really connected it with the B&D song, but I definitely prefer this one over the two. I’ve always found Red Dirt Road boring though.