Introduction
“As She’s Walking Away” is a poignant country ballad by the Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, released on August 23, 2010. The track serves as the lead single from the band’s album You Get What You Give and quickly became a chart-topping success. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in November 2010, marking the Zac Brown Band’s fourth consecutive No. 1 single and Jackson’s 35th.
The song was co-written by Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette. Durrette was inspired to write the lyrics after a missed opportunity to speak to a woman he admired at a bar. He described the experience as seeing a beautiful girl and lacking the courage to approach her, leading to feelings of regret. This sentiment is encapsulated in the lyric, “I’m falling in love as she’s walking away.”
The collaboration with Alan Jackson was suggested by the Zac Brown Band’s bassist, John Driskell Hopkins, who believed that Jackson’s involvement would attract a broader fan base. Both artists are produced by Keith Stegall, facilitating the partnership. The song’s success was further recognized when it won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011, marking the second Grammy for both the Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson.
“As She’s Walking Away” is characterized by its heartfelt lyrics and the harmonious blend of Brown’s and Jackson’s vocals, underpinned by a traditional country arrangement. The song’s success solidified the Zac Brown Band’s position in the country music scene and highlighted the enduring appeal of Alan Jackson’s classic country style.