Introduction:
Released in May 1999, “Little Man” is a poignant country ballad written and performed by the iconic American singer-songwriter Alan Jackson. The song finds its home on Jackson’s critically acclaimed album, High Mileage (1998), which marked his tenth studio release. Keith Stegall, a frequent collaborator of Jackson’s, served as the producer for “Little Man” and the entire album.
“Little Man” stands out as a thoughtful exploration of the changing landscape of small-town America. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a once-thriving community, its heart embodied by the local stores and businesses. The narrator, presumably a longtime resident of the town, laments the arrival of big business and its impact on the local economy. This shift results in the decline of the small, family-owned establishments that were the backbone of the community.
Throughout his career, Alan Jackson has established himself as a powerful voice for the working class and rural America. “Little Man” perfectly embodies this theme by expressing a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era and a deep appreciation for the values associated with small-town life. The song’s title, “Little Man”, is a symbolic term that represents the ordinary people who contribute to the character and livelihood of these communities. The lyrics depict the struggles of these individuals as they face economic hardship brought about by larger, impersonal forces.
“Little Man” was released as the fourth and final single from High Mileage. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, solidifying its place among Jackson’s greatest hits. “Little Man” resonated with audiences across the country, particularly those who identified with the song’s message of small-town resilience and the challenges posed by economic change. The song continues to be a staple of Jackson’s live performances and is a beloved classic in his extensive discography.
“Little Man” stands as a testament to Alan Jackson’s ability to capture the essence of small-town America and the people who inhabit it. The song’s enduring popularity speaks to the universality of its message, a message that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Video:
Lyrics:
I remember walk’in round the court square sidewalk
Lookin’ in windows at things I couldn’t want
There’s johnson’s hardware and morgans jewelry
And the ol’ Lee king’s apothecary
They ware the little man
The little man
I go back now and the stores are empty
Except for an old coke sign dated 1950
Boarded up like they never existed
Or renovated and called historic districts
There goes the little man
There goes the little man
Chorus:
Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man
He pumped your gas and he cleaned your glass
And one cold rainy night he fixed your flat
The new stores came where you do it yourself
You buy a lotto ticket and food off the shelf
Forget the little man
Forget about that little man
He hung on there for a few more years
But he couldn’t sell slurpees
And he wouldn’t sell beer
Now the bank rents the station
To a man down the road
And they sell velvet Elvis and
Second-hand clothes
There goes little man
There goes another little man
Chorus:
Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man
(Instrumental)
Now the stores are lined up in a concrete strip
You can buy the whole world in just one trip
And save a penny cause it’s jumbo size
They don’t even realize
They’er killin’ the little man
Oh the little man
Chorus:
Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man
It wasn’t long ago when I was a child
An old black man came with his mule and his plow
He broke the ground where we grew our garden
Back before we’d all forgoten
about the little man
The little man
Long live the little man
God bless the little man