Nashville songwriters usually spend their days trying to find new ways to promise the moon and the stars. They write about "forever" like it's a guaranteed sunset without any clouds. But in 1995, Alan Jackson sat down and decided to do something a little more difficult. He decided to be honest.
Alan Jackson I'll Try isn't your typical, sappy power ballad. It's a song about the reality of being a flawed human being in a long-term relationship. Most people think "I'll try" is a weak phrase, but in the context of a marriage, it might be the most romantic thing you can actually say.
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The Story Behind the Song
Back in the mid-90s, Alan was already a massive star. He'd conquered the charts with hits like "Chattahoochee" and "Don't Rock the Jukebox." But when it came time to put together his first Greatest Hits Collection, he needed some new material to give the fans a reason to buy the record.
He didn't just go out and buy a "hit" from a professional songwriter. Jackson told Billboard magazine at the time that people were constantly pestering him to write a positive love song. He struggled with it. To him, most positive love songs felt "sappy" and "not real." He wanted a "realistic approach."
What he ended up with was a mid-tempo masterpiece. Recorded on May 31, 1995, at Castle Recording Studios, the track featured the legendary Keith Stegall in the producer’s chair. If you listen closely, you can hear the work of some of Nashville’s absolute best session players: Brent Mason on electric guitar, Hargus "Pig" Robbins on the piano, and Paul Franklin on the steel guitar.
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These guys weren't just playing notes. They were creating a mood.
Why the Lyrics Mattered
The song opens with a line that sets the stage perfectly: "Here we are talking 'bout forever / Both know damn well it's not easy together."
That’s a bold way to start a love song. It acknowledges the friction. It acknowledges the fights. It acknowledges that staying with one person for the rest of your life is actually hard work.
The chorus is where the "honesty over hype" theme really shines through:
"And I'll try to love only you
And I'll try my best to be true
Oh darlin', I'll try."
Think about that. He isn't saying "I will never mess up." He's saying "I am a man, I am imperfect, and I am going to put in the effort every single day." For many listeners, that feels a whole lot more secure than a "happily ever after" fairy tale.
Commercial Success and Chart Life
Even though the song was a departure from the upbeat honky-tonk anthems he was known for, fans ate it up. Released in January 1996 as the second single from the compilation, it quickly climbed the ranks.
- It hit Number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks.
- It reached Number 5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
- It followed "Tall, Tall Trees" as another chart-topper from the same collection.
Honestly, the 90s were a weird time for country music, but Alan Jackson kept it grounded. While other artists were leaning into pop-country crossovers with big hair and pyrotechnics, Alan was standing there in a Stetson singing about the struggle of being a good husband.
The Legacy of I'll Try
You still hear this song at weddings today. People relate to the vulnerability. It's not a song for the first date; it's a song for the tenth anniversary when you've seen each other at your absolute worst.
The production holds up, too. Because it was recorded with traditional instruments—no 90s synthesizers or gated reverb drums—it doesn't sound dated. It sounds like a timeless country record. Brent Mason’s guitar licks are subtle, and the fiddle work by Stuart Duncan adds that classic Nashville "lonesome" feel that balances out the hopeful message.
How to Appreciate the Track Today
If you're revisiting Alan's catalog or discovering this track for the first time, pay attention to the phrasing. Alan has a way of stretching out words that makes them feel conversational. He isn't "singing at you." He's talking to you over a cup of coffee.
Basically, if you want to understand why Alan Jackson is in the Country Music Hall of Fame, look at this song. It’s the perfect blend of songwriting craft and emotional intelligence.
Next Steps for the Fan:
- Listen to the "Greatest Hits Collection" version: This is the definitive recording with the original session musicians.
- Compare it to "Home": This was the B-side and offers another look at Alan's personal, introspective writing style.
- Check out the live performances: Look for the 1990s TV appearances where Alan performs this with just his band; the simplicity of the arrangement really lets the lyrics breathe.
The song reminds us that "forever" isn't a destination we reach. It's a choice we make every morning when we wake up.