Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Steven Tyler Join CMA Holiday Special | The BIG 98 WSIX

About the Song

In the realm of country music, there are songs about heartbreak, loss, and the beauty of the rural landscape. And then there are songs like “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere” by Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley, a lighthearted anthem that celebrates the simple joys of unwinding after a long day of work.

Released in 2003, “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere” quickly became a country music staple, topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart and earning a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song’s enduring popularity lies in its relatable message and infectious melody, making it a go-to choice for country radio stations, barbecues, and tailgates.

The song’s premise is simple: no matter where you are in the world, there’s always a place where it’s 5 o’clock and time to start enjoying a cold drink. This sentiment is particularly appealing to those who have spent long hours at work or on the road, yearning for the moment they can finally relax and let loose.

Jackson and Paisley’s vocals perfectly complement each other, with Jackson’s smooth baritone providing a steady foundation for Paisley’s playful twang. The lyrics are full of clever wordplay and witty observations, painting a vivid picture of the characters’ shared desire to escape the daily grind and embrace the carefree spirit of happy hour.

“It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere” is more than just a drinking song; it’s an ode to the universal human need for relaxation and camaraderie. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of life’s challenges, there’s always time to find moments of joy and connection with others.

Whether you’re a seasoned country music fan or a casual listener, “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere” is a song that’s sure to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping. So the next time you find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed, just remember: it’s probably 5 o’clock somewhere. Grab a cold one, crank up the volume, and let the good times roll.Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley perform during the 51st annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Video 

Lyrics: It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere

The sun is hot and that old clock is movin’ slow,
And so am I.
Work day passes like molasses in wintertime,
But it’s July.
I’m gettin’ paid by the hour, and older by the minute.
My boss just pushed me over the limit.
I’d like to call him somethin’,
I think I’ll just call it a day.Pour me somethin’ tall and strong,
Make it a “Hurricane” before I go insane.
It’s only half-past twelve but I don’t care.
It’s five o’clock somewhere.Oh, this lunch break is gonna take all afternoon,
And half the night.
Tomorrow mornin’, I know there’ll be hell to pay,
Hey, but that’s all right.
I ain’t had a day off now in over a year.
My Jamaican vacation’s gonna start right here.
If the phone’s for me,
You can tell ’em I just sailed away.And pour me somethin’ tall and strong,
Make it a “Hurricane” before I go insane.
It’s only half-past twelve but I don’t care.
It’s five o’clock somewhere.I could pay off my tab,
put myself in a cab,
And be back to work before two.
At a moment like this I can’t help but wonder,
What would Jimmy Buffett do?

Funny you should ask, Alan. I’d say,

Pour me somethin’ tall and strong,
Make it a “Hurricane” before I go insane.
It’s only half-past twelve but I don’t care.

Pour me somethin’ tall and strong,
Make it a “Hurricane” before I go insane.
It’s only half-past twelve but I don’t care.

He don’t care.
I don’t care.

It’s five o’clock somewhere.

What time zone am I on? What country am I in?
It doesn’t matter, it’s five o’clock somewhere.
It’s always on five in Margaritaville, come to think of it.
Yeah, I heard that.
You been there, haven’t you?
Yes sir.
I seen your boat there.
I’ve been to Margaritaville a few times.
All right, that’s good.
Stumbled all the way back.
OK. Just wanna make sure you can keep it between the navigational beacons.
Between the buoys, I got it.
All right. Well, it’s five o’clock. Let’s go somewhere.
I’m ready, crank it up.
Let’s get out of here.
I’m gone.

You Missed

For Vince Gill, the memory of singing with Dolly Parton came down to their final note together at the 1995 CMA Awards. Thirty-one years later, on the day she died, he shared that performance again. “We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. He called the closing note of their duet one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard. Their recording of “I Will Always Love You” began with Dolly’s album *Something Special*. That summer, she revisited three of her classics, including the farewell she had written for Porter Wagoner in 1973. It had already topped the country chart twice in her own voice, and Whitney Houston’s 1992 recording had brought it to listeners worldwide. For this version, Dolly invited Vince to join her. They performed it on the Grand Ole Opry on August 26, 1995, during a TNN broadcast. Radio programmers began playing the duet before Columbia officially issued it as a single. That unsolicited airplay carried it onto Billboard’s country chart at No. 53. On October 4, they sang it again at the CMA Awards. Vince, then 38, was hosting the broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry House. He stepped away from those duties to sing beside the woman who had written the song when he was sixteen. As the performance ended, their voices met on one sustained note. Decades later, that was the moment he singled out. Released as a single that November, the duet reached No. 15, received a Grammy nomination and won the 1996 CMA award for Vocal Event of the Year. But Vince’s remembrance centered on what he had heard standing beside her. Dolly died in Nashville on August 25, 2026, at 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Two days later, Vince appeared at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. He told the audience how deeply his family was hurting, then began “I Will Always Love You.” This time, he sang it alone. Fan footage captured him struggling with his emotions throughout the performance. When he stepped back to compose himself, people in the audience carried the words. Musicians behind him wiped their eyes. He reached the closing note without Dolly’s voice beside his. After finishing, he moved away from the microphone, placed a hand over his chest and lowered his head.