September 2025

Alan Jackson’s song “Dallas” captures a bittersweet longing that mirrors a moment from his own life. In the early days of his career, Alan spent long stretches on the road chasing his musical dreams, while his wife Denise stayed behind in Georgia. During one lonely night in a Texas hotel, Alan watched the city lights of Dallas fade in the distance as he missed home and her. That ache of separation inspired the emotion behind “Dallas”—not just missing a place, but missing someone who is your home. The line “Dallas, I’d love to see you tonight” reflects not only a city but the heartache of wanting to be with someone who feels worlds away. Like many of his songs, “Dallas” draws from real life—simple moments, deep feelings, and the roads that carry us between love and longing.

Introduction In the pantheon of ’90s country music, few artists captured the essence of heartbreak...