OldiesButGoodies

Country

Alan Jackson – Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow

ALAN JACKSON - Chasin' That Neon Rainbow

Introduction:

Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow, a classic country song released in 1990 by the iconic country music artist Alan Jackson, is a powerful anthem that captures the allure and ambition of pursuing a dream in the world of country music. While not on his debut album, it was featured on Jackson’s sophomore studio album, Here in the Real World, which solidified his place as a rising star following the success of his first record.

The song, co-produced by Jackson himself alongside Keith Stegall, tells the story of a small-town dreamer with a burning desire to trade in his ordinary life for the bright lights and big crowds of Nashville. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this yearning, using evocative imagery and relatable emotions that resonate with anyone who has ever felt a calling beyond their current circumstances. Jackson’s characteristic vocals deliver the heartfelt message with a sincerity that connects deeply with listeners.

Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow was a critical and commercial success. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, being held off the top spot by another country legend, George Strait. It also climbed to number five on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. This widespread acclaim not only propelled Jackson’s career further but also helped solidify the song’s place as a country music staple.

Beyond the critical praise and chart success, Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow continues to resonate with fans because it speaks to a universal human experience. The yearning for a better life, the pursuit of a dream, and the hope for success are all relatable themes that transcend genre and generation. This enduring connection with listeners ensures that Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow will remain a beloved country song for years to come.

Video:

https://youtu.be/WCPpOba2O4g?si=AQylTNERHZYdT3Tg

Lyrics:

Daddy won a radio, he tuned it to a country showI was rocking in the cradle to the crying of a steel guitarMama used to sing to meShe taught me that sweet harmonyNow she worries ’cause she never thought I’d ever really take it this far
Singing in the bars and chasing that neon rainbowLiving that honky-tonk dream‘Cause all I’ve ever wanted is to pick this guitar and singJust trying to be somebodyJust wanna be heard and seenI’m chasing that neon rainbowLiving that honky-tonk dream
An atlas and a coffee cupFive pickers in an old Dodge truckHeading down to Houston for a show on Saturday nightWell, his overhead is killing me, half the time I sing for freeWhen the crowd’s into it, lord it makes this thing I’m doing seem right
Standing in the spotlight and chasing that neon rainbowI’m-a living that honky-tonk dream‘Cause all I’ve ever wanted is to pick this guitar and singJust trying to be somebodyJust wanna be heard and seenI’m chasing that neon rainbowLiving that honky-tonk dream
Daddy’s got a radioHe won it 30 years agoHe said, “Son I just know we’re going to hear you singing on it some day”Well, I made it up to Music RowLord, don’t the wheels turn slow?Still, I wouldn’t trade a minute and I wouldn’t have it any other way
Just show me to the stage, I’m chasing that neon rainbowI’m-a living that honky-tonk dream‘Cause all I’ve ever wanted is to pick this guitar and singJust trying to be somebodyJust wanna be heard and seenI’m chasing that neon rainbowLiving that honky-tonk dream
Oh, I’m chasing that neon rainbowLiving that honky-tonk dream

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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