About The Song
Absolutely! “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest country songs ever written. Here’s a closer look at this emotional ballad:
Origins and Release:
- Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman.
- Released in April 1980 as the lead single from George Jones’s album “I Am What I Am.”
- The song initially faced resistance from some radio stations due to its dark theme of heartbreak and death, but it quickly became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the US.
Genre: Country Music
Lyrics and Theme:
- The song tells the story of a man who mourns the loss of his lover for twenty years (“He stopped loving her today / They said, ‘I saw a teardrop in his eye’ / He stopped loving her today / The day she passed him by”).
- The lyrics explore themes of grief, regret, and lost love (“He stood and watched her as she walked away / Miles to go before she’d see another day”).
- The tragic ending with the line “He stopped loving her today” is particularly powerful and emotionally charged.
Musical Style:
- The song features a slow tempo and sparse instrumentation with prominent piano and steel guitar.
- George Jones’s distinctive and emotionally raw vocals deliver the lyrics with despair and conviction.
- The simple musical arrangement puts all the focus on the powerful storytelling.
Legacy and Impact:
- “He Stopped Loving Her Today” became George Jones’s first solo number one single in six years and solidified his status as a country music legend.
- The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and continues to be considered one of the most moving and heartbreaking songs ever written.
- It has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, a testament to its universal appeal.
Interesting Tidbits:
- George Jones initially disliked the song because of its downbeat theme, but was convinced to record it by his producer.
- The song almost didn’t make it onto the album because it was too long for typical radio play at the time.
- “He Stopped Loving Her Today” continues to be a staple of country radio and a touchstone for songs about heartbreak and loss.
Want to hear the song?
You can find “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones on most streaming platforms. There’s also a live performance video available on YouTube: you can search for “George Jones – He Stopped Loving Her Today (Live)”.
Here are some additional questions you might be interested in:
- Would you like to explore other songs by George Jones or other tearjerker ballads in country music?
- Are you interested in learning more about the songwriting team behind this song, Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman?
- What other songs deal with themes of grief and loss?
Video
Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 
He said, “I’ll love you till I die”She told him, “You’ll forget in time”As the years went slowly byShe still preyed upon his mind
He kept her picture on his wallWent half crazy now and thenBut he still loved her through it allHoping she’d come back again
Kept some letters by his bedDated 1962He had underlined in redEvery single, I love you
I went to see him just todayOh, but I didn’t see no tearsAll dressed up to go awayFirst time I’d seen him smile in years
He stopped loving her todayThey placed a wreath upon his doorAnd soon they’ll carry him awayHe stopped loving her today
You know, she came to see him one last time (ooh)Ah, and we all wondered if she would (ooh)And it kept runnin’ through my mind (ooh)“This time he’s over her for good”
He stopped loving her todayThey placed a wreath upon his doorAnd soon they’ll carry him awayHe stopped loving her today