Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
When Alan Jackson released his version of “Pop A Top” on October 4, 1999, country music fans immediately recognized that something special had arrived. The track served as the lead single from his covers album Under the Influence, and it wasn’t just another release — it was a revival of a country classic. The song’s roots go back to Nat Stuckey, who wrote it in 1966, but it was Jim Ed Brown who first turned it into a hit, taking it to No. 3 on the Billboard country charts in 1967. More than three decades later, Jackson breathed new life into it.
His rendition stayed faithful to the spirit of traditional country — the heartbreak, the storytelling, the raw emotion — while adding his unmistakable smooth drawl and honky-tonk energy. The new version quickly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs list and rising even higher in Canada, where it reached No. 2. Listeners connected deeply with the familiar theme: a man sitting at a bar, trying to drink away memories that won’t fade, each crack of a beer can echoing like a confession.
The music video only added to its charm. Directed by Steven Goldmann, it featured country comedian Cledus T. Judd, who opens a beer in his kitchen before being swept into an elegant black-tie party where Jackson performs. The video plays with contrasts — polished glamour meets working-class reality — ultimately ending with Judd snapping back to everyday life, beer still in hand. It was humorous, relatable, and unmistakably country.
But the moment that solidified this song’s legacy came during the 1999 CMA Awards. In a move that stunned the audience, Jackson abruptly stopped performing “Pop A Top” mid-song and shifted into George Jones’s “Choices,” sending a message loud and clear: traditional country deserved respect. Fans and critics alike praised the bold gesture.
Through “Pop A Top,” Alan Jackson did more than cover an old favorite — he connected past and present. His version reminded listeners that great storytelling never expires, and it helped introduce a new generation to a timeless classic, preserving its legacy while making it his own.