Alan Jackson was one of the most popular country singers of the 1990s, arguably second only to Garth Brooks in popularity. Jackson has also projected a wholesome, clean-cut image while showing diverse talent by writing many of his own hits. Starting with his first album in 1989, Here in the Real World, and on into 2001, Alan racked up an impressive twenty number one singles and twenty more Top Ten hits.

On September 26, 2006, Arista Nashville will release Alan Jackson’s fourteenth album, Like Red on a Rose. The album's first single, the title cut, was produced by fellow musician Alison Krause. I don’t usually think of Alan Jackson as a crooner, but on "Like Red on a Rose,” he is clearly trying to heat things up. He sings like he's trying to seduce, all with a gentle quiver in his voice and measured restraint.

As much as there is to like about the song, the lyrics do meander a bit. We have the obvious attempt at seduction or flattery with lines like this: “You make my blood flow/ Like red on a rose." However, here we have a line about children I’m not sure works: "I love you like all children love pennies," a strange and utterly unsexy comparison that makes the song less seductive than it could be.

That being said, despite some of the lyrical weaknesses, I enjoyed "Like Red on a Rose" and found it to be a solid ballad I’m sure many will enjoy. Check out a full audio stream of "Like Red on a Rose" and keep an eye out for my full review of Alan Jackson’s forthcoming album.