Born in Texas on September 12, 1931, George Jones would go on to be one of the most iconic figures in country music. Jones would have double digit number one hits, a Grammy, and a Hall of Fame Award. In celebration of his life and amazing talent, here are five of his most legendary songs.
“White Lightning”
“White Lightning” was originally written by J. P. Richardson, aka the Big Bopper. When Jones released it in 1959 it would go on to become his first number one single. Other greats would go on to cover it: Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams Jr., and Joe Diffie.
“When The Grass Grows Over Me”
Like many of Jones’ later songs, “I’ll Be Over You (When The Grass Grows Over Me)” is told through first person narration and coupled sadness and songwriting brilliance. It was released in 1968 and rose to the number 2 spot on the Billboard charts. The song was credited to Don Chapel; however, Tammy Wynette, fellow country star and Jones’ third wife, claims she actually wrote it.
“A Girl I Use To Know”
This top 5 hit was written by Jack Clement and released in 1962; it was on Jones’ Sings More New Favorites album. The song was rewritten as “Someone I Used To Know” in 1970 for Jones and Tammy Wynette’s duet album We Go Together. It is even documented that Jones’s version was one of Ray Charles’s favorites.
“Tender Years”
Written by Jones and released in 1961, this song would spend more then 30 weeks on the country charts, seven at the number 1 spot, and would become Jones’ second number 1 hit. According to music journalist Rick Kienzle, in one of his essays: “Here, his singing voice, which so far had been high and nasal, began to deepen. His restrained delivery and the smoother ‘Nashville sound’ production produced a smoother, but no less expressive George Jones.”
“He Stopped Loving Her Today”
This list had to include “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. By many, it is considered one of the greatest country songs every sung. It was the lead single off of the 1980 album I Am What I Am. The song shot to the number 1 spot, Jones’ first in six years.
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