Alan Jackson Performs ‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore’ on ‘Jay Leno’

‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ has had a soft spot for country music in the month of March. A mere two weeks after Toby Keith brought his ‘Red Solo Cup‘ to the stage, Alan Jackson performed his new single, the contemplative ballad ‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore.’ Late night talk shows are a prime place for country tunes, that’s for sure.

Strumming his acoustic guitar and wearing a tan cowboy hat last night (March 30), Jackson performed his sad song flawlessly. ‘Tonight Show’ watchers that aren’t country fans were certainly introduced to one of the genre’s most notable powerhouses and should have been more than impressed by this consummate pro.

While the song has melancholic lyrics, the subdued performance was the perfect way for redblooded, workaday Americans to end a hectic week, with a musical goodnight kiss from a country legend. Jackson was uber expressive with his eyes while singing, as though the pain of the lyrics was still immediate.

The show’s couch guests, namely fashionista Nicole Richie, daughter of Lionel Richie, who’s gone country with ‘Tuskegee,’ popped over to the stage after the performance to shake hands with Jackson.

Scroll to the 36-minute mark to watch Jackson’s performance in the video footage below.

Watch Alan Jackson on ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’