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Explore the lyrics and meaning of Riley Green’s 2026 collaboration with Peyton Manning, ‘Alabama Vs. Tennessee’, inspired by the two states’ infamous college football rivalry.
- Song Alabama Vs. Tennessee
- Lyrics“Well, we can joke, give each other hell
I can yell “Roll Tide”
Sing Rocky Top all night
Them Vols gonna take it all this year, ch-yea
Heard them Bama boy’s looking pretty damn tough
But that orange and white’s a million bucks... - Artist(s) Riley Green, Peyton Manning
- Released October 12, 2026
- Label Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Songwriter(s)Riley Green, Wyatt McCubbin, Erik Dylan
- Producer(s) Erik Dylan, Riley Green
The Background:
Arriving as a surprise single on Monday, October 12th 2026, ‘Alabama Vs. Tennessee’ finds Riley Green and Peyton Manning trading lyrics about the infamous college football rivalry between Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers. The song was released days before the Tide and Vols went head to head.
It's a combination of playful sparring between Green - a loyal Crimson Tide supporter - and Manning - a Vols legend, and a heartwarming message to fans of both sides to remember that, even though their teams are rivals, it doesn't mean they can't get along.
The mythologised Crimson Tide and Volunteers clash has sparked an array of beloved country songs, including Morgan Wallen's football-inspired romance, ‘Tennessee Fan’.
The Sound:
It's a stripped-back, largely acoustic offering, which allows the spotlight to fall on Green and Manning's light-hearted banter. Green's vocals are weather-worn and commanding, while Manning also holds his own when it's his turn to enter the fray.
There's a bar-room-style gang-vocal towards the end the song, accentuating the feeling that this is just a conversation taking place in a dive, with the song even concluding with some jovial words as Green and Manning gently mock one another's teams.
The Meaning:
‘Alabama Vs. Tennessee’ is packed with easter egg references to the Crimson Tide and Volunteers’ longstanding rivalry, with Green tipping his cap to the former's ‘Roll Tide’ chant while Manning nods to how the crowd sing ‘Rocky Top’ at Volunteers games.
The conversation in this song takes place shortly before the Crimson Tide and Volunteers take the field, with Green and Manning placing their bets and goading one another.
In the second verse, Manning proudly sings of how Tennessee has the iconic Music Row, before Green counters this with another key musical hub, Alabama's Muscle Shoals.
They spend the majority of the song boasting about their respective home-states, but in the bridge, they heartwarmingly come together and list their similarities instead, with Green and Manning sharing how they both love boots, beer and country girls. Manning quips that he loves country girls so much, he even married one.
For the full lyrics to Riley Green and Peyton Manning's ‘Alabama Vs. Tennessee’, see below:
“Well, we can joke, give each other hell
I can yell “Roll Tide”
Sing Rocky Top all night
Them Vols gonna take it all this year, ch-yea
Heard them Bama boy’s looking pretty damn tough
But that orange and white’s a million bucks
Alright, alright, I say the loser buys the beer
Get your money out
-
I think this world can learn a thing or two
From a couple good ol’ boys like me and you
I’m proud to pull for Knoxville
It’s ‘bout time for the Tide to take the field
We out here in the same bar now
Maybe different sides, but we’re settin’ up rounds
‘Cause man, it ain’t you going up against me
It’s just Alabama vs. Tennessee
-
Well, up here we got Music Row
Well, we cut a few records down in Muscle Shoals
It ain’t hard to find, just head south on 65
I know where it is
I’ve sipped Jack Daniels in the Smokey Mountains
Well, I’ve been kicked out of the Flora-Bama
Hell, I can’t lie ‘cause I have to
Hell, ain’t we all?
-
Yeah, I think this world can learn a thing or two
From a couple good ol’ boys like me and you
I’m proud to pull for Knoxville
It’s ‘bout time for the Tide to take the field
We out here in the same bar now
Maybe different sides, but we’re settin’ up rounds
‘Cause man, it ain’t you going up against me, no sir
It’s Alabama vs. Tennessee
It’s just Alabama vs Tennessee
-
We both wear boots and drink cold beer
We both like Hank and Merle
And we both love country girls
You know it, that’s why I married one
-
Yeah, I think this world can learn a thing or two
From a couple good ol’ boys like me and you
I’m proud to pull for Knoxville
Well, I’m proud to pull for Tuscaloosaville
We out here in the same bar now
Maybe different sides, but we’re settin’ up rounds
‘Cause man, it ain’t you going up against me
It’s just Alabama vs. Tennessee
-
Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama vs. Tennessee”
