Introduction
“Remember When” stands as one of Alan Jackson’s most heartfelt and autobiographical songs, capturing the journey of love and family through time. Written solely by Jackson, the reflective ballad traces the milestones of his life with his wife, Denise—from their first moments together to raising children and looking ahead to their later years. Jackson’s warm vocals and straightforward storytelling invite listeners into an intimate recollection of shared joys, challenges, and enduring devotion, underscoring the song’s universal resonance with anyone who has witnessed love’s evolution
Released on October 27, 2003, as the second single from his compilation album Greatest Hits Volume II, “Remember When” quickly climbed the charts, spending two weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2004 before crossing over to peak at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success cemented the track as a defining moment in Jackson’s career, marking a rare instance of a new song debuting on a “Greatest Hits” collection and earning widespread radio acclaim .
Critics lauded “Remember When” for its poignancy and craftsmanship, with Billboard praising it as “the most poignant, well written country song to hit the format in a long time.” The song garnered industry recognition at the 2004 Country Music Association Awards, where it was nominated for both Single and Song of the Year, further validating Jackson’s skill as a songwriter capable of blending personal narrative with universal appeal.
The accompanying music video, directed by Trey Fanjoy and premiering on CMT in January 2004, enhances the song’s nostalgic tone by weaving home-movie-style footage of Jackson’s childhood and married life with simple, evocative performance shots. Over two decades later, “Remember When” remains a staple in Jackson’s live shows and an enduring favorite among fans, often evoking tears and reflections on life’s fleeting moments each time it plays .
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Remember when
I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when
[Verse 2]
Remember when
We vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, and it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, and there was hurt
Remember when
[Verse 3]
Remember when
Old ones died and the new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other’s hearts
Remember when
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 4]
Remember when
The sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we’d never give it up
Remember when
[Verse 5]
Remember when
Thirty seemed so old
Now looking back, it’s just a stepping stone
To where we are, where we’ve been
Said we’d do it all again
Remember when
[Verse 6]
Remember when
We said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won’t be sad, we’ll be glad
For all the life we’ve had
And we’ll remember when
[Outro]
Remember when
Remember when