Alan Jackson – Tropical Depression

Introduction:

“Tropical Depression” is a song by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in 1992 as part of his very successful album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love).

The album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love) was a major release for Jackson, and “Tropical Depression” is one of several well-received tracks from this collection. The song was written by Alan Jackson along with Charlie Craig and Jim McBride.

“Tropical Depression” falls squarely within the country music genre, though it also exhibits a slight leaning towards a more laid-back, perhaps even “tropically” influenced, style. This is achieved through the song’s narrative and instrumentation, which evoke a sense of being in a warm, beachside location, yet feeling emotionally downcast. Jackson’s delivery, as always, is rooted in traditional country, which gives the song its core identity. The lyrics describe a narrator who has gone to a tropical location to try to get over a lost love, but finds that the beautiful scenery only serves to amplify his sadness.

While “Tropical Depression” was not released as a single, it still garnered attention and radio play as an album track. Notably, it peaked at #75 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart based on unsolicited airplay. This indicates that the song resonated with audiences and country music radio programmers even without the full promotional push of a single release.

The album it belongs to, A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love), was a significant commercial and critical success for Alan Jackson. Released in 1992, it produced several major hit singles that solidified Jackson’s place as one of the leading figures in contemporary country music. Some of the more prominent singles from the album include “Chattahoochee” and “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues),” both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album itself reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was certified 6x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), highlighting its widespread popularity and sales.

The success of the album contributed significantly to Alan Jackson’s career, earning him accolades such as the Country Music Association’s Album of the Year award in 1993. While “Tropical Depression” may not be as widely recognized as some of the album’s chart-topping singles, its inclusion in such a successful and influential album adds to its significance within Jackson’s body of work. The song showcases Jackson’s ability to blend traditional country themes with relatable storytelling, even when exploring slightly less conventional scenarios like feeling heartbroken in a tropical paradise.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Tropical Depression”