About the song
At George Jones’s funeral in 2013, Alan Jackson stepped onto the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and sang the opening line of a song that nearly never got recorded: “He said, ‘I’ll love you ‘til I die’…”—and the entire room fell silent. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a final farewell filled with love, sorrow, and the haunting power of a song that forever changed country music.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” was recorded in 1979, though even George Jones himself had serious doubts about it. He thought it was too sad, too dark. But producer Billy Sherrill believed in the song. When it was finally released in 1980, it soared to the top of the charts, reaching No. 1. It not only revived Jones’s fading career but also earned him a Grammy Award. Today, this song is more than just a hit—it’s the defining anthem of an entire genre.
That day in Nashville, Alan Jackson did more than honor a friend. He reminded everyone why this song continues to live in the hearts of millions. It wasn’t just about George Jones. It spoke to every goodbye we’ve never fully gotten over.
