Why Alan Jackson Recorded “Still the One” for Wife Denise

Alan Jackson put a country spin on the Orleans classic that has been part of his love story with wife Denise for 50 years.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: June 29, 2026

Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Alan Jackson has given “Still the One” a personal country twist nearly 50 years after the Orleans song became part of the beginning of his relationship with wife Denise.

Jackson released his version of “Still the One” on June 25, 2026. His official website described meeting Denise while she practiced a cheerleading routine to the song as one of his most cherished memories.

Why Did Alan Jackson Record “Still the One”?

The connection between Alan Jackson, Denise, and “Still the One” dates back to their teenage years in Newnan, Georgia.

Denise was a cheerleader at Newnan High School, and Jackson saw her practicing a cheerleading routine choreographed to the Orleans song at a mutual friend’s house.

“She was a cheerleader for Newnan High School,” Jackson shared, recalling that Denise was “practicing her dance routine for the cheerleader squad” ahead of a football game.

“I sat there and watched her, and three years later I ended up marrying that girl and she’s my wife today,” Jackson recalled. “This has always been one of our fond memories of our starting-out days, and every time we hear that song…it brings back those memories.”

Nearly 50 years later, Jackson recorded the song as a birthday gift for Denise.

“I went in the studio and re-recorded that pop song with a little country seasoning on it, and I gave it to her for her birthday because she’s ‘still the one.’”

Alan Jackson’s official website also connects the release directly to that early memory of Denise and notes that the original recording was by Orleans.

Who Originally Sang “Still the One”?

“Still the One” was originally recorded by Orleans and released in 1976.

The song became a Top 5 pop hit, but for Jackson, its importance goes far beyond its chart success. It became connected to one of the earliest memories of his relationship with Denise.

Jackson and Denise married three years later, and hearing “Still the One” continued to remind them of the beginning of their relationship.

Alan Jackson Adds a Personal Touch to “Still the One”

Jackson’s version keeps the upbeat feel of the Orleans song while adding his own country sound and several personal touches for Denise.

He opens the recording with:

“This is for Nicey – 1976!”

Later, he adds:

“Aww, you still got it, baby!”

and

“Love ya, sugar!”

When Did Alan Jackson Release “Still the One”?

Alan Jackson released “Still the One” on June 25, 2026, just two days before the final concert of his touring career.

On June 27, Jackson took the stage at Nissan Stadium in Nashville for Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale. More than 80,000 people experienced the event, which marked the end of his decades-long touring career. His performance also included a line from the newly released “Still the One.”

The concert was captured for the NBC special Alan Jackson: The Last Show and a live album, Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale (Live from Nashville).

Read more: Alan Jackson Tour: Final Concert, Farewell Tour & Future Plans

Although Jackson has retired from touring, his official team made clear following the finale that leaving the road does not mean the end of his songwriting or recording career.

“Still the One” arrived as Jackson closed one chapter of his career while celebrating a relationship that began long before his country music success.

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