Did You Know Alan Jackson’s Wife Denise Inspired His First No. 1 Single, ‘I’d Love You All Over Again?’

The song reached the top of the charts in March of 1991.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

March 12, 2023

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2:01 pm

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Denise Jackson, Alan Jackson; Photo by Benjamin Askinas, CMA

Technically, Alan Jackson has his wife, Denise, to thank for his first-ever No. 1 single. In 1991, the country music legend reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and earned his second No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart with his heartfelt tune, “I’d Love You All Over Again.”

If it weren’t for his loving relationship with his wife, Jackson may have never been inspired to write this song in a hotel room of Pine Bluff, Arkansas on a rainy evening. 

“I’d Love You All Over Again” was featured on Alan Jackson’s debut album, Here in the Real World, and written in honor of their 10th wedding anniversary. With all the success the song achieved, it seems Jackson had two feats in one – he unveiled one of the greatest love songs of his generation and got the chance to show his partner just how much she means to him.

Upon a bit of recent reflection, the “Chattahoochee” singer thought back to all the songs that have been influenced by the series of high’s and low’s he’s experienced with Denise, who witnessed his leap into stardom. In the end, they’ve found a way to move past whatever obstacle that’s put in their way and grow even closer to each other. 

“We got a lot of history together now, and we’re happier than we’ve ever been. So, she’s still beautiful, and she’s always inspired songs,” he said in a statement to his label. “I mean, one of my early hits was a song called ‘I’d Love You All Over Again,’ I wrote for her for our 10th anniversary [released in 1990]. I mean, there’s been a zillion songs that have pieces of our good days and bad days inspired, and they continue to.”

Meaningful Lyrics

The slow guitar strum and hazy vocals tell the tender narrative from the perspective of someone who would be willing to put his heart on the line again and again for that special person. Despite the many challenges that come with marriage, Jackson honed in on the true depths of his passion and commitment to a long-lasting relationship. 

“Has it been ten years / Since we said ‘I do’ / I’ve always heard marriage / Made one seem like two  / But you’re looking better / Than you did back then / You still make this old heart give in,” he sings in the opening verse before moving into the romance-filled chorus. “And if I had it to do all over / I’d do it all over again / If tomorrow I found one more chance to begin / I’d love you all over again.”

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Married for 40+ Years

The country star and his wife were high school sweethearts who matched up nearly perfectly, seeing as Denise’s maiden name was already Jackson. Not only was she by his side for support through every day life, but she also helped him reach the next step in his music career. 

Denise formerly worked as a flight attendant and one day one the job, she ran into “Rhinestone Cowboy” singer, Glen Campbell. She took this opportunity to sing Jackson’s praises and in turn, was given a business card for a Nashville publishing company. This landed the Country Music Hall of Famer his first songwriting deal in the country division of Arista Records in 1989.

The lovebirds finally tied the knot in 1979, meaning they have now been married for more than 40 years. Just as Jackson started to achieve some success as an artist, they welcomed their first child, Mattie, followed by two more daughters, Alexandra, and Dani. 

They also recently claimed a new title as first-time grandparents when their middle child, Ali, and her husband Sam welcomed their son, Jackson Alvie Bradshaw, in December.

While they may be seen as one of country music’s favorite couples, they still had their fair share of battles, including a brief separation in 1997, which helped inspire one of his classics, “Remember When.” It was later revealed that their three-month split was a result of Jackson being unfaithful. However, through the power of prayer, they found their way back to each other.

Another event that had a major impact on their relationship was when Denise began her journey toward overcoming her colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2010. This experience proved to be eye-opening, as Jackson explained to the Palm Beach Post in 2012 when he said that the diagnosis “made us change our whole outlook on life, what we value and what’s important. That’s what happens in situations like that.”

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Alan Jackson’s legacy as a singer/songwriter remains one of the greatest in the genre. In this current phase of his life, he’s able to slow things down and enjoy his time with his family.

Last year, Alan Jackson embarked on his Last Call: One More For The Road, which marked his first major tour since revealing he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorder in the fall of 2021. He currently has no shows on the books. 

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Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.