Monday Morning Church

"Monday Morning Church"
Single by Alan Jackson
from the album What I Do
Released	October 11, 2004
Format	Promo-only CD single
Recorded	2004
Genre	Country
Length	3:23
Label	Arista Nashville
Writer(s)	Brent Baxter Erin Enderlin
Producer	Keith Stegall
Alan Jackson singles chronology
"Too Much of a Good Thing" (2004) "Monday Morning Church" (2004) "The Talkin' Song Repair Blues" (2005)

"Monday Morning Church" is the title of a song recorded by country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in October 2004 as the second single released from his 2004 album What I Do. It peaked at number 5 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks.^[1] It features background vocals from Patty Loveless.

Background

Jackson told Billboard that the song was almost recorded by Lee Ann Womack but he's glad he got it instead. "It's about trying to survive after you've lost a loved one and just how every little thing you touch or see stirs up the memories and makes it hard," Jackson says.^[2]

Content

The song follows the story of a man grasping for faith after the death of his wife. A preacher stops by to tell him that Jesus loves him but he doubts if he deserves it because he no longer has any faith. He believes that his wife has made it to heaven but that without her, he can't bring himself to believe in God.

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it "one of the most potent ballads in country music since George Jones' 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'.^[3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Kristin Barlowe, and features a man who's struggling through his house, and running to a church, struggling from a lost lover.

Chart performance

"Monday Morning Church" debuted at number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 16, 2004.

Chart (2004–2005)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	5
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	54

References

1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2. 
2. ^ Billboard, September 18, 2004
3. ^ Billboard, September 18, 2004