Track of the Day: ‘It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere’ by Alan Jackson w/ Jimmy Buffet

By LINDSEY KASTNING

As true as it may be that the weather has been insane, beyond the strange snowflakes, summer is on its way.

As school wraps up, several people look forward to the summer jobs that will fill their empty pockets. So whether the job comes with a pizza delivery uniform, briefcase or chicken suit, at the end of the long day, there is one perfect song that comes to mind.

From his 2003 “Greatest Hits Volume II” album, Alan Jackson teamed up with country legend Jimmy Buffet to create the perfect end to a hard day’s work song. With the witty instrumentals of Buffet’s famous “Margaritaville” tune and its quirky lyrics, the song brings hope to the hard laborer:

“The sun is hot and that old clock is moving slow/ and so am I / I’m getting paid by the hour and older by the minute / It’s only half past 12, but I don’t care / it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”

If allowed to take an iPod to work, this song might induce a slight burst of laughter, so try to hold it in. But may it be a reminder that even though there still may be more work to be done, the day will soon come to an end, and those once empty pockets will soon be full again.

Having won the 2003 Academy of Country Music Award for “Single of the Year,” the message of the song surely speaks the truth: After a hard day’s work, kick off your shoes, spend time with a good friend and sail away to relaxation.