Here in the Real World, straddles the musical and chronological line between the Class of ’89 — a neo-traditionalist new wave marked by the debut albums of Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Lorrie Morgan and others — and the more commercial-driven rise of ‘90s country. Jackson became the first signee of Arista Nashville on June 26, 1989, and many of his early songs mirror Black’s honky-tonk affinity and Brooks’ storytelling bent. Yet fame stalled after his lone major-label single of the ‘80s, “Blue Blooded Woman,” failed to crack the Top 40. Jackson's follow-up single, “Here in the Real World,” arrived on Jan. 15, 1990. It became a Top 3 hit, making Jackson the original ‘90s country star. From there, he proved to be not just a fantastic vocalist but also one of the best new songwriters in Nashville.