Alan Jackson has released a country-tinged cover of Orleans’ “Still the One” — and the story behind it stretches back five decades to a small Georgia town.
Jackson recorded the 1976 pop classic as a birthday gift for his wife Denise, marking 50 years since the two first fell in love in their shared hometown of Newnan, Georgia. The couple, who will celebrate 47 years of marriage at the end of 2026, share a personal connection to the song that predates their wedding by years. Jackson shared the news and his recording on social media earlier this week.
A Cheerleader, a Routine, and a Song
The connection runs deep. When Jackson and Denise were first getting to know each other, she was a high school cheerleader working up a routine set to “Still the One,” which was a hit that summer. Jackson recalls going to a friend’s house and watching her practice. Three years later, he married her.
“It’s always been one of our old fond memories of our ‘starting out’ days,” Jackson explained in his social media post. “When we’d hear that song every now and then, it’d bring back all these memories.”
A Studio Session Turned Personal Gift
With the 50-year milestone in mind, Jackson took the Orleans track into the studio and gave it what he called “some country season” — adding steel guitar and fiddle to the pop original. He then presented the finished recording to Denise as a birthday gift. “I gave it to her for her birthday, ’cause she’s still the one,” he said.
Denise Jackson has long been a central figure in her husband’s life and career. She was working as a flight attendant when a chance encounter with Glen Campbell helped launch Jackson’s path in country music, and she served as the inspiration for his widely beloved song “Remember When.”
With the 50-year anniversary of their meeting now being commemorated in song, fans of Jackson’s deeply personal songwriting tradition will find this latest release very much in keeping with the spirit that has defined his career.
