Song Details and Background
- Artist: George Jones
- Album: I Am What I Am
- Release Date: April 12, 1980
- Writers: Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman
- Producer: Billy Sherrill
The song was a significant comeback for George Jones, who had been struggling with personal issues and a decline in his career. It became his first solo number one hit in six years and is widely credited with revitalizing his career.
Lyrical Content and Meaning
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” tells the poignant and ultimately heartbreaking story of a man who vows to love a woman until the day he dies, even after she has left him. The lyrics paint a picture of his enduring devotion: he keeps her picture on his wall, holds onto old letters, and hopes she’ll return.
The twist comes in the final verse, where it’s revealed that the only way he stopped loving her was by dying. His former lover even attends his funeral, and it’s at this point that those around him realize his vow was truly kept. The song masterfully uses metaphor and a spoken-word passage to convey the depth of his unwavering love and the melancholic reality of his passing.
Critical Reception and Impact
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” is frequently hailed as the “greatest country song ever” and the “quintessential country song.” Its success was immediate and profound, earning numerous accolades:
- Grammy Award: Best Male Country Vocal Performance (1980)
- Academy of Country Music Awards: Single of the Year and Song of the Year (1980)
- Country Music Association Awards: Song of the Year (1980 and 1981)
In 2008, the song was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. It has also appeared on various “greatest songs of all time” lists, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Despite its ultimate success, George Jones initially disliked the song, finding it too “morbid” and “sappy.” However, producer Billy Sherrill convinced him to record it, and Jones’s raw, emotional delivery ultimately became a hallmark of the song, perfectly conveying its deep sorrow and unwavering devotion.