Introduction
Released on November 15, 1994, “Gone Country” is a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was the third single from Jackson’s fourth studio album, Who I Am, and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking Jackson’s tenth chart-topping hit.
The song serves as a commentary on the country music scene, illustrating three examples of singers—a lounge singer from Long Island, a folk rocker from Greenwich Village, and a classically trained composer from Los Angeles—who, facing declining careers in their respective genres, decide to pursue country music instead. Jackson expressed his admiration for the song, stating, “When I first heard this song I fell in love with it. I wish that I’d written it cause it says a lot of things that I’d like to say. I think it’s just a fun song actually, celebrating how country music has become more widespread and accepted by all types of people all over the country.”
Critics praised “Gone Country” for its insightful lyrics and engaging melody. Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine described it as “the most talked-about country song of the year,” highlighting its commentary on the influx of artists into the country genre.
The song’s music video, directed by Michael Oblowitz, was filmed in various locations including New York City, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Las Vegas, featuring scenes atop 622 3rd Avenue and concert footage from Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.
“Gone Country” has been included in several of Jackson’s compilation albums, such as The Greatest Hits Collection (1995), The Very Best of Alan Jackson (2004), and 34 Number Ones (2010), underscoring its enduring popularity and significance in his musical repertoire.
Video
Lyrics
She’s been playin’ in a room on the strip for ten years in Vegas
Every night she looks in the mirror and she only ages
She’s been readin’ about Nashville and all the records that everybody’s buyin’
Says, “I’m a simple girl myself, grew up on Long Island”
So she packs her bags to try her hand
Says this might be my last chance
She’s gone country, look at them boots
She’s gone country, back to her roots
She’s gone country, a new kind of suit
She’s gone country, here she comes
Well, the folk scene’s dead, but he’s holdin’ out in the Village
He’s been writin’ songs, speakin’ out against wealth and privilege
He says, “I don’t believe in money, but a man could make him a killin’
‘Cause some of that stuff don’t sound much different than Dylan”
I hear down there it’s changed, you see
Well, they’re not as backward as they used to be
He’s gone country, look at them boots
He’s gone country, back to his roots
He’s gone country, a new kind of suit
He’s gone country, here he comes
He commutes to L.A., but he’s got a house in the Valley
But the bills are pilin’ up and the pop scene just ain’t on the rally
And he says, honey, I’m a serious composer, schooled in voice and composition
But with the crime and the smog these days, this ain’t no place for children
Lord, it sounds so easy, it shouldn’t take long
Be back in the money in no time at all
He’s gone country, look at them boots
He’s gone country, back to his roots
He’s gone country, a new kind of suit
He’s gone country, here he comes
Yeah, he’s gone country, a new kind of walk
He’s gone country, a new kind of talk
He’s gone country, look at them boots
He’s gone country, oh, back to his roots
He’s gone country
He’s gone country
Everybody’s gone country
Yeah, we’ve gone county
The whole world’s gone country