Introduction:
Released on October 4, 1999, as the lead single from Under the Influence, Alan Jackson’s cover of “Pop a Top” signaled a confident return to classic country roots. The song, written by Nat Stuckey in 1966 and first made famous by Jim Ed Brown—whose version reached No. 3 on the Billboard country chart in 1967—was already a staple of traditional honky-tonk storytelling. Jackson’s revival gave it renewed life at the turn of the millennium.
With a bright, swinging arrangement and unmistakable twang, Jackson’s rendition climbed to No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at No. 2 in Canada. While polished for a modern audience, the performance remained faithful to the song’s emotional core: a brokenhearted man numbing his pain at a bar, where each metallic “pop” of a can opening becomes a small, sorrowful ritual of memory and loss.
The official music video, directed by Steven Goldmann, added a playful visual layer to the song’s themes. Starring country parody artist Cledus T. Judd, the video opens with Judd cracking open a beer in his kitchen before shifting to a surreal black-tie party where Alan Jackson performs. As drinks circulate, the formally dressed guests gradually reveal their working-class identities, blending humor, authenticity, and classic country charm—until Judd snaps back to reality, beer still in hand.
“Pop a Top” also became linked to one of the most talked-about moments in modern country music history. At the 1999 CMA Awards, Jackson famously interrupted his televised performance of the song to sing a verse of George Jones’s “Choices,” a spontaneous act of protest and respect after Jones was denied a full performance slot. The moment was widely praised as a powerful stand for tradition and artistic dignity.
By reintroducing “Pop a Top” to a new generation, Alan Jackson did more than score a hit. He bridged eras—honoring the song’s original writers and performers while reaffirming his own role as a steward of classic country values. The result remains one of the most beloved and meaningful recordings of his career, proof that timeless storytelling never goes out of style.