One could argue that Alabama had the southern country rock genre cornered in the 1980’s.
You would be hard pressed to find another group or artist that was doing it better, which is probably why the band found themselves on an incredible run of 21 consecutive number one hits in the decade of the 80’s.
When the smooth lyrical stylings of Randy Owen start to hit your speakers (or headphones), it’s easy to see why this song kept the streak going.
“Close Enough To Perfect” was released on this date in 1982 as the third single from Alabama’s Mountain Music album. Though it wasn’t written by any of the band members (it was actually brought to life by hit-making country hitmaker Carl Chambers), it fit perfectly in with Alabama’s traditional sound and songwriting.
Fans and critics both loved the simplicity and rhythm of the song and its message, which is why it was the number one song on the Billboard Hot Country songs in the Fall of 1982, and even found its way up to the 65th spot on US Billboard Hot 100.
The inspiration for the song allegedly came from a moment that songwriter Carl Chambers shared with the Bellamy Brothers while laying wood down on their tour bus. One of the wives of the Bellamy Brothers apparently kept picking out pieces of the wood and saying what was wrong with them, to which her husband said “it’s close enough to perfect for me,” then immediately thought it would be a good title for a song.
And it was, according to the response that Alabama and country music fans had with the tune. The beginning of “Close Enough To Perfect” really sets the tone for the song, which sings:
“Now, She’s been known to wear her pants too tight.
And drinkin’ puts her out just like a light.
Heaven knows she’s not an angel,
But she’d really like to be.
And that’s close enough to perfect for me.”
Take a listen to the Alabama classic below:
