Songoftheday 10/4/23 -Okay I forgot about the trash I didn't trim the long hairs on my mustache, I didn't buy you a ring I believe it was back in '93...

 

 

"Work In Progress" - Alan Jackson

from the album Drive (2002)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #35 (one week)

Weeks in the Top-40: 2

 

 Today's song comes from Alan Jackson, who rose above the utter drivel following the attacks on 9/11 with the mournful and respectful "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" followed by the beautiful tribute to his father, "Drive (For Daddy Gene)", both of which topped Billboard magazine's Country Songs airplay chart and also crossed over to the top-40 of their all-genre Hot 100. The third single from the Drive album would be the more lighthearted look at romance in "Work In Progress". Written by Jackson, the lyrics have Alan going through all his faults and missteps in their relationship, but he "tries real hard", even if that means getting angry waiting for her to get ready to go out to Shoney's. It's got a hint of stereotypical "woman's needs" but it's done in such a meek way that I can't get mad. In the end (well, in the chorus, he says God himself gives his approval because he's a...well, you know. The production from Keith Stegall is the hokey old-style country, but it works. All in all, it was a fun departure from the last two heavier songs, and his fans and radio treated him well, even without a music video...

 

 "Work In Progress" became the third song from Drive to crack the top-40 on Billboard's Hot 100 in November of 2002, while spending two weeks at #3 on the Country Songs airplay chart.

Both Alan and the Drive album will be back to the series for one more lap.

(7/10)

Up tomorrow: This trio is ladies only.