About The Song
Jo Dee Messina’s second album, I’m Alright, got off to a strong start with its No. 1 lead single, “Bye Bye.” The next two releases followed it to the top.
The first four releases from I’m Alright are among the best single runs in country music history. We’re talking King’s Record Shop and No Fences-level excellence here.
“I’m Alright” is my personal pick for the best of the four. It’s an even more difficult lyric to deliver than “Bye Bye,” yet Messina does so effortlessly: “Been singin’ for my rent and singin’ for my supper, I’m above the below and below the upper, I’m stuck in the middle where money gets tight, but I guess I’m doin’ alright.”
The hooks made it a radio staple back in the day. I think what made the song a classic is a bit deeper than it just being a catch song sung well.
We don’t get a lot of songs about friendships, and “I’m Alright” captures a certain kind of friendship. We have these friends when we’re young – high school and college age – that we dream our dreams with. We talk with them about all the big things that we’re going to do, and we encourage their hopes and long term goals while we cultivate our own.
Then we lose track with them over time. Calls become less frequent, hang outs become weekly, then monthly, until finally they’re a thing of the past.
What a joyous and rare occasion it is to run into one of those old friends, get to catch up with them, and learn that they’re doing well and get to share that you’re doing alright, too. In a song about an aspiring musician hoping to make it big, it’s the friendly reunion that is the most aspirational and optimistic.
Hello to all of those old friends of mine that I haven’t seen or heard from in so long. I’m doing alright, and I hope you are, too.
Video
Lyrics
Well, it’s been a long time, glad to see your face
I knew we’d meet again, another time, another place
Can’t believe it’s been so many years
You’d better grab a chair and a couple of beers
Looking good in your three-piece suit
You know, I always knew you’d take the business route
You were always the one to follow the light
And you look like you’re doing alright, yeah
Been singing for my rent and singing for my supper
I’m above the below and below the upper
I’m stuck in the middle where money gets tight
But I guess I’m doing alright
I’m al-, I’m al-, I’m alright
It’s a beautiful day, not a cloud in sight
So I guess I’m doing alright
Oh, oh, I’m alright
I got a good old friend here with me tonight
And I guess I’m doing alright
Well, we had a lot of dreams when we were younger
They thought we were crazy, but we had the hunger
We kept a lot of friends, skipped a lot of class
Been on top of the world and knocked on our
We lost touch, we lost in love
We lost our minds when things got tough
But beating time is a losing fight
And I guess I’m doing alright
Oh, I’m al-, I’m al-, I’m alright
It’s a beautiful day, not a cloud in sight
So I guess I’m doing alright
Oh, oh, I’m alright
I got a good old friend here with me tonight
And I guess I’m doing alright
Well, I guess I’m doing alright
Well, I hate to see this evening end
God only knows when I’ll see you again
Just send a fax or send me a letter
Or give me a call, that would even be better
Give the kids a kiss for me
And say hello to the family
And tell them all my future’s looking bright
Well, I miss ’em, but I’m doing alright
I said I miss ’em, but I’m doing alright
Oh, I’m al-, I’m al-, I’m alright
It’s a beautiful day, not a cloud in sight
So I guess I’m doing alright
Oh, oh, I’m-m-m alright
Got a good old friend here with me tonight
And I guess I’m doing alright
Well, I guess I’m doing alright
I’m doing alright