Sometimes after a long, hard day at work, all you can really do is grab an ice cold beer out of the fridge, kick your feet up, and blast Alabama through the home stereo system.
If you haven’t ever tried that out, I highly recommend it, and may I suggest that you start out the Alabama playlist with this rhythmic hit from 1981 titled “Feels So Right,” which was number one on the country charts on this date 42 years ago.
Alabama always had a gift of riding the line between genres, but always tended to have the foundation of their music based upon the classic stylings of country. This song certainly followed along with the band’s genre-meshing talent, blending the likes of country, pop, and rock all into one softly-played love song.
“Feels So Right” was released in May of 1981 as the second single from their album Feels So Right. It was immediately met with praise from country fans as well as pop music appreciators, and quickly found its way to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The album itself performed well too, giving the band their first number one album on the Top Country Albums chart.
The tune also acted as Alabama’s first multi-week number one, and strangely holds the title of being the first ever song to drop straight out of the “Top 40” from the number one spot after its run.
Some might have considered the lyrics a tad bit “risqué” when it was first released, being that it was a love song with some especially suggestive and sexual lyrics. However, those same people would probably have a heart attack listening to some of the modern day hits that are gracing the airwaves.
You can take a look at some of the lyrics below to see why some thought it was a little too explicit for the 1980’s:
“Whisper to me softlyBreathe words upon my skinNo one’s near and listeningSo please don’t say goodbyeJust hold me close and love mePress your lips to mineMmm feels so right, feels so right.”
Anyone reading that and “clutching their pearls?” No? Didn’t think so.
The love ballad also marked an important moment in Alabama’s history, being that it was one of their most successful songs on both country charts and the mainstream Billboard Top 40. It also did will on the adult contemporary chart, and laid out a framework for their famous, recognizable style throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.
If you want to take a trip back to the 80’s era, thankfully you can just by watching the official music video for “Feels So Right” below. The band jams out to mellow love song, and it also looks like all the band members had the same barber.
Take a look:
