Introduction
“Feels So Right” – Alabama’s Tender Love Confession
“Feels So Right” is a song written by Randy Owen, recorded and released by the country band Alabama in May 1981 as the second single and title track of the album of the same name. With its gentle melody, romantic theme, and sensual lyrics, the song quickly became a phenomenon among American country music listeners.
Spending two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “Feels So Right” reached No. 1—becoming Alabama’s first single to remain more than one week at the top of the Country chart. It also became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking into the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Interestingly, after leaving the Top 40, it immediately dropped to No. 43—the first such instance since the Hot 100 expanded to 100 positions.
Randy Owen revealed that he wrote “Feels So Right” at just seventeen years old, inspired by his youthful feelings for his girlfriend, and completed the first draft in about 15 minutes. At the time, the song was considered a bit too sensual for radio standards—but that very quality gave it a distinctive charm, allowing listeners to feel the honesty and intimacy in its expression of love.
The track marked a breakthrough in Alabama’s style, blending country, country‑pop, and soft rock in a way that broadened their audience beyond traditional country fans. Critics even likened it to a country version of the 1970s soft rock band Bread, with a smooth, heartfelt rhythm perfect for slow dancing.
The Feels So Right album, released in February 1981, was Alabama’s fifth studio album and their first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It also climbed to No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for over three years—longer than any other Alabama album. The record produced three No. 1 hits: “Old Flame,” “Feels So Right,” and “Love in the First Degree,” all of which achieved quadruple platinum status in the U.S.
From today’s perspective, “Feels So Right” remains one of Alabama’s most beloved love songs, admired for its simplicity and sincerity. It holds an important place in the legacy of American country music, paving the way for the rise of country‑pop fusion throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Even after four decades, it continues to shine as one of Alabama’s timeless classics, frequently included in compilations and tribute collections dedicated to the band.