“Someday”
Alan Jackson
Written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride
Billboard
#1 (1 week)
November 9, 1991
Radio & Records
#1 (1 week)
October 25, 1991
Alan Jackson refines his skills as a balladeer.
The Road to No. 1
Jackson’s uninterrupted run of chart-toppers continues, as the second single from Don’t Rock the Jukebox is his sixth No. 1 in a row.
The No. 1
Where “Wanted” was weighed down by a clunky and unnecessary framework, “Someday” clears the clutter and presents a simple, unadorned, and achingly real breakup conversation.
She looked me in the eye and said, “It’s over”
I can’t take this heartache anymore
She said, “Don’t tell me lies and try to please me
I’ve heard it all so many times before”
And I took her by the arm and said, “Don’t leave me
There’s nothin’ in this world I wouldn’t do
Just give me time, I’ll be the man you’ve needed”
She said, “I wish that I could take that for the truth”
And so Alan Jackson tries to convince the listener to buy the argument rejected by the woman who is leaving:
And I said, “Someday
I’ll get my life straight”
And she said, “It’s too late
What’s done is done.”
And I told her, “Someday”
She said, “I can’t wait
‘Cause sometimes someday just never comes.”
A heartbreaker that cuts right down to the bone.
The Road From No. 1
Jackson’s hit run will continue unabated through 1992, with four more No. 1 singles on the way next year.
“Someday” gets an A.
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A beautiful song.
Kevin’s printing of the lyrics highlights Jackson’s maturation into a brilliant and spare lyricist. He is at his best when he is autobiographical and concise. The song passes the sincerity contract in spades. It sounds so conversational I almost feel like I am eavesdropping on a couple at a bar or through an open window.
This song still gets me everytime I hear it.
What a run of spell-binding classic country songs and performances. I listen to country radio today and have to go ten songs deep before I hear one new song I like.
It’s hard to recall what an abundance – and embarrassment – of riches country radio represented in 1991.
One of my all time favorite ballads from AJ! Such a heartbreaking but beautiful song, and Alan’s vocals perfectly reflect the pain that the narrator feels as he realizes it’s over. His ballads, especially from around this time, have some of the prettiest melodies, and this one was no exception. I even love the slight change in melody in the bridge before the final chorus with lyrics that are just as heartbreaking as the woman tells him: “All I ever wanted was to love you, and somewhere deep inside me I still do. But now I think it’s time I stop believing, ’cause I’m never gonna see a change in you.” Add some more excellent fiddle and steel playing throughout, and you’ve got a classic heartbreak ballad.
I’ve always really loved the video to this song, as well. Even though the song itself implies that she likely left him for good, I do like how they managed to give Alan and the girl a “happy ending” for the video. And I absolutely LOVE the car featured here! Thank goodness he stuck to his guns and kept it instead of taking the money, lol.
This song is also on another one of my favorite tapes from the Fall of 1991. It also features other favorites of mine such as: “Satisfy You” by Sweethearts of the Rodeo, “Puttin’ The Dark Back Into The Night” by Sawyer Brown, “Fallin’ Out Of Love” by Reba, I’ll Never Be In Love Again” by Don Williams, “(Without You) What Do I Do With Me” by Tanya Tucker, “Feed Jake” by Pirates Of The Mississippi, “Going Out Tonight” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, and even George Strait’s “Winter Wonderland,” since it was around the holidays, lol.
From “Here In The Real World” all the way up to the second single off his third album is one of my favorite strings of singles Alan Jackson has ever released to radio. We are also now entering one of my personal favorite periods in country music from late 1991 to early 1992, which I have so many fond memories of.