"Pop a Top" is a

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...

song written and originally recorded by

Nat Stuckey Nathan Wright Stuckey (December 17, 1933 – August 24, 1988) was an American country singer. He recorded for various labels between 1966 and 1978, charting in the top 10 of Hot Country Songs with " Sweet Thang", "Plastic Saddle", "Sweet Thang ...

in 1966. The first hit version was released by

Jim Ed Brown James Edward Brown (April 1, 1934 – June 11, 2015) was an American Country music, country singer who achieved fame in the 1950s with his two sisters as a member of the Browns. He later had a successful solo career from 1965 to 1974, followed b ...

in May 1967 as the third and final single from his album ''Just Jim''. The song was a number 3 Billboard country single for Brown in late 1967. It was later revived by

Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He is known for performing a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country", as well as writing many of his own songs. Jackson has recorded 21 studi ...

as the lead-off single from his 1999 album '' Under the Influence''. Jackson's version peaked at number 6 on the United States ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and number 2 on the Canadian ''RPM'' Country Tracks chart.

Content

The narrator, a bar patron, asks the tender to open another bottle of beer for him, and then he'll go. He commences to tell the bartender about his grief because his girl left him, and either he'll hide it with beer, or he'll be at home remembering heɾ. The sound of a metal "pop-top" can being opened was a novelty, and that is a significant factor in the creating of this song. The metallic click and hiss sound of opening this type of container is featured several times in the song.

Music video

The music video for Jackson's version was directed by Steven Goldmann, and features Cledus T. Judd. The video opens with Judd briefly singing a parody of " Here in the Real World" ("Here in the Beer World") as he walks to the refrigerator to get a bottle of beer. Upon opening the bottle, he suddenly finds himself at a

black tie Black tie is a semi-formal Western dress code for evening events, originating in British and North American conventions for attire in the 19th century. In British English, the dress code is often referred to synecdochically by its principal ...

event where Alan Jackson is performing. The video switches between shots of Jackson and his band onstage, Judd socializing, and various people transforming into drunk, working-class, or "country" versions of themselves whenever a glass passes in front of the camera. As the song ends, Judd finds himself back in his kitchen just as he was about to kiss a beautiful woman, and frantically starts opening more beers to try and "get the magic back."

Chart performance

Jim Ed Brown

"Pop a Top" debuted at number 71 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles for the week of May 20, 1967.

Alan Jackson

"Pop a Top" debuted at number 49 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 9, 1999.

Year-end charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pop A Top 1967 singles 1999 singles Jim Ed Brown songs Alan Jackson songs Music videos directed by Steven Goldmann Song recordings produced by Keith Stegall RCA Victor singles Arista Nashville singles Songs written by Nat Stuckey 1967 songs Song recordings produced by Felton Jarvis Songs about alcohol