Pass It On Down

Album: Pass It On Down (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Alabama's Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, along with co-writers Ronnie Rogers and Will Robinson, this is the title track and lead single from Alabama's 13th studio album. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
  • Teddy Gentry brought the idea for the environmentally conscious track to there rest of the band. The lyrics lament acid rain, unsafe drinking water, the hole in the Ozone layer and other issues that are "bringing Mother Nature to her knees." Gentry explained in a Songfacts interview: "My son actually gave me the idea for the song. He was fishing and they had just released a thing telling people not to eat the fish out of the river anymore because there was high lead mercury content in the fish. So we were fishing and my son says, 'Daddy, think there'll be fish around when I have a son one of these days?' And he got me to thinking. We got together with the rest of the guys and finished the song."
  • This was featured in the 1997 thriller Fire Down Below, starring Steven Seagal as an environmental protection agent who uncovers a toxic dump conspiracy.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."