There are many recurring themes in country music. One of them is less of a theme than a mood. Call it grim, sorrowful, elegiac, melancholy, or whatever you wish, but it's present in lots of heartfelt country songs. One of them is George Jones' unforgettable landmark hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, Jones recorded it in 1980 for his album I Am What I Am. The song details the overwhelming love the narrator feels for his lady. He literally adores her until the very day he dies.
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The track garnered major attention and accolades. It was a number one tune that the Library of Congress placed in its prestigious National Recording Registry. Alan Jackson and George Strait performed it in homage to Jones at the 2013 CMA Awards. He passed away that year at the age of 81. Upon his death, The New York Times observed that Jones was "the definitive country singer of the last half-century, whose songs about heartbreak and hard drinking echoed his own turbulent life...."
Many fans believe that the song is actually about Jones' painful breakup with singer Tammy Wynette. They were married from 1969 to 1975. Was "He Stopped Loving Her Today" really about Jones' eternal passion for her? Something unusual happened when he recorded the song years ago that may provide valuable insight into his feelings.
The Fascinating Tale Behind Jones' Recording Of 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'
Per Classic Country Music Stories on Facebook, when George Jones went into the recording studio on February 6, 1980 to sing "He Stopped Loving He Today," the initial results were lackluster. "George's voice was flat and unemotional. All those present in the studio could tell that he didn't care for the song or feel its message. Then, just before the second take, an odd occurrence took place which changed the atmosphere dramatically."
Tammy Wynette Showed Up Unexpectedly When Jones Was Recording The Song
Tammy Wynette and her husband arrived at the studio just as onlookers. It as as though someone flipped a switch and Jones suddenly sang with the integrity and intensity this song merited. "When he sang the song again, he stared into the control room and never took his eyes off Tammy. It was as if he was singing every word just for her and on that second take, George's voice filled with enormous power and emotion and he delivered a brilliant performance of 'He Stopped Loving Her Today.'"
The song revitalized Jones' career. Per Facebook via his book, I Lived to Tell It All, Jones noted, "To put it simply, I was back on top,"
