If you are a fan of George Jones, then you are probably familiar with some of his songs. These include Love Bug, Still Doin’ Time, and A Good Year for the Roses. Whether you’ve listened to them a hundred times or just heard them for the first time, they are still some of the most popular songs in the world.
He Stopped Loving Her Today
He Stopped Loving Her Today is a legendary George Jones song that has lasted the test of time. It embodies all that is great about country music. Despite its popularity, it is also a very sad song.
Although the song has been covered by numerous artists, it is still considered by some to be the best country song of all time. Its lyrics speak of love so powerful that separation cannot diminish it. The song was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards.
In addition to being nominated for a Best Male Country Vocal Performance award, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was a hit on the charts. It topped the Hot Country Songs chart and was named the number one country song of 1980 by Billboard. Also in the top ten was Johnny Cash’s cover version of the song.
Originally penned by Bobby Braddock, this song was produced by Billy Sherrill. It features a whining steel guitar in the early verses and a subtle string bed in the chorus.
There are many rumors and half-truths surrounding this song. Some say that George Jones liked the song, but it was recorded during a time when he was battling drug and alcohol abuse. However, the singer’s autobiography says otherwise.
The song’s lyrics are a masterpiece. They are not only about a woman’s love for a man, but also the man’s affliction. His former lover returns to her man’s coffin for his funeral. At the same time, her friends are convinced that he is no longer in love.
The song has won awards in numerous categories. The Academy of Country Music named it their Single of the Year for 1980. And the Library of Congress selected it as a culturally significant piece of music.
Still Doin’ Time
Still Doin’ Time is one of the songs that George Jones performed at his concerts. The song tells the story of a man who is trapped by his addiction to alcohol.
The song was written by John Moffatt and Michael Heeney. It was originally released on the album Still the Same Ole Me in 1981. This album was the first one Jones had released with MCA.
When Still Doin’ Time was released, it peaked at number two on the Canadian Country Tracks chart. It also topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It stayed on the top of the charts for 10 weeks.
After the song’s success, George Jones went on to perform the song on his concerts. He was a harmony singer in country music.
Some of the songs that George Jones sang on his concert tours included “That’s All It Took”, “Wild Irish Rose”, “A Thousand Times A Day”, and “I Must Have Done Something Bad”.
In addition to performing his own songs, Jones collaborated with other musicians. He recorded duets with Gene Pitney, Johnny Paycheck, and Tammy Wynette.
Although Jones had a string of hits in the early 1980s, his career began to falter. His career was threatened by a variety of personal problems, including marriage and substance abuse. Despite the problems, the singer’s talent was praised.
Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame by Randy Travis in 1992. The singer was a major supporter of the Association of Country Entertainers, which promoted traditional country music.
He was also a critic of country pop. He was said to sound like Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams.
Jones’ last studio album was released on Epic Records. However, his relationship with the label ended when he signed with MCA.
Golden Ring
“Golden Ring” is a song sung by George Jones and Tammy Wynette. The song is a tale of a young couple in love. After a tumultuous marriage, the woman throws down the ring. It becomes meaningless. She tells her husband that she doesn’t love him anymore. Eventually, she leaves her husband and moves on.
In 1976, the duo released the song as the title track of a duet album. It reached the top of the country charts.
A similar song, “Golden Wedding Ring,” was written by Francis Craig and His Orchestra in 1947. Although it wasn’t intended to be autobiographical, it did apply the concept of a wedding ring to the real world.
“Golden Ring” is not to be confused with the Eric Clapton song of the same name. Both songs are very similar in meaning, but “Golden Ring” is actually a better song.
The song was originally a hit for George Jones and Tammy Wynette. In 1975, the duo divorced. Their careers went on. They scored 13 top 40 hits between 1971 and 1980. However, their marriage was a sham.
They later remarried twice before passing away in 1998. That is a shame. But they remained good friends. Interestingly enough, “Golden Ring” was one of their most popular duets. This is not to say that their other hit collaborations didn’t have their fair share of heartbreaks.
Despite their marriage troubles, George Jones and Tammy Wynette have continued to record together. They have had several hit albums and scored four top five hits. These include “Golden Ring,” “The Best of Times,” and “One” (“Golden Ring” and “The Best of Times” are actually their first and second duets).
Throughout their careers, the duo won two Grammy awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Male Country Vocal Collaboration.
A Good Year For The Roses
A Good Year for the Roses is a novel by Gil McNeil. It is a light read with a simple plot. The author’s wit and smartness are evident in the book.
The story begins with Molly, a divorced mother of three. She has settled in a coastal home along the Devon coast. Her brother runs the family’s hotel. But a high school flame returns with ulterior motives. While Molly is trying to keep the house together, she struggles to support her sons. And her sons have unrealistic expectations of country life.
Eventually, the family’s ancestral home, Harrington Hall, becomes a magical place. Harrington Hall produces roses. However, the roses begin to fade. So it is time for Molly to take action and try to save her home.
When “A Good Year for the Roses” was released in 1970, it reached #2 on the country singles chart. Jones’ performance was considered one of his best. In addition, the song features a choir of background singers. This song is very pretty. Although it is not difficult to play, practice is needed to achieve the right timing. Luckily, you can learn how to play this song using the chords provided below. Whether you are looking for a warm and witty novel, or a great piece of music, A Good Year for the Roses is definitely worth a listen. Hopefully, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to it soon! Until then, enjoy! Let us know in the comments!…and do check out our other country music playlists!
Love Bug
Love Bug is a George Jones song that came in at #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1965. It is not the only one he has recorded, though. He also did a version of “Blue Side of Lonesome”, though it is not the same as Jim Reeves’. The song is not as good as Jones’ own “The Bridge Washed Out” but it has a nice harmonica solo.
Love Bug has been re-released as the lead single on a 1966 album. The song is a little less sexy than the original, but it is still a hit. If you like Country music you can get the best of both worlds by purchasing a Jones box set, complete with all the tracks from his Musicor days. Some of the best songs on the record are re-recorded versions of his classic hits, including the trucker anthem “Six Days on the Road”. In addition to the usual suspects, you’ll also find a re-recorded version of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road”. You’ll even hear the one o’ the many versions of the Rolling Stones “Mississippi”.
If you’re into this era of Country music, you’ll love the Jones’ latest effort. It’s filled with the most popular hits of the era, from a re-recorded versions of “The Bridge Washed Out” to the aforementioned “Six Days on the Road”.
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