George Jones

The Legendary Career

George Jones was one of the most influential and acclaimed country music artists of all time. Born in 1931 in Saratoga, Texas, Jones grew up immersed in gospel and country music. He began performing as a teenager, often playing on the streets for tips. In the early 1950s, Jones got his big break when he caught the attention of music exec Pappy Daily and signed to Starday Records.

Jones’ early hits like “Why Baby Why” and “Just One More” showcased his smooth baritone vocals and ability to convey heartbreak. As his career took off in the 1960s, Jones developed his signature hard-country sound with songs like “She Thinks I Still Care” and “The Race Is On.” He became known for his evocative singing style and ability to perfectly capture the raw emotion in country songs.

Over his long career, Jones struggled with alcoholism and missed concerts due to his drinking. But when sober, he was peerless in conveying the ache of lost love. He earned the nickname “The Possum” for his marsupial-like appearance and sad, soulful eyes. Major hits continued into the 1970s like “The Grand Tour” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” now considered his masterpiece and a classic country song.

Jones influenced generations of country vocalists with his expressive phrasing and flawless delivery. He recorded over 150 albums and won numerous awards, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Though his personal life was turbulent, his lasting legacy is his catalog of powerful, heart-wrenching songs about hardships and honky-tonk life. George Jones’ discography shows him to be a true icon of American country music.

Discography

Albums

  • Country Heart (1966-03-28)
  • Famous Country Duets (1965)
  • The Ballad Side of George Jones (1963)
  • My Very Special Guests (1979)
  • Bartender’s Blues (1978)
  • George Jones Sings Hank Williams (1980)
  • We Go Together (1971)
  • Where Grass Won’t Grow (1969)
  • I Can Love You Enough (1974)
  • Let’s Build a World Together (1973)
  • Wine Colored Roses (1986)
  • Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half as Bad as Losing You) (1973-06)
  • George Jones (1965)
  • Shine On (1983)
  • Book of Memories (1967-01-01)
  • George Jones (1972)
  • The New Favorites of George Jones (1962-02)
  • Still the Same Ole Me (1981)
  • Mr. Country & Western Music (1965)
  • George & Tammy & Tina (1975)
  • I Wish Tonight Would Never End (1963)
  • We Found Heaven Right Here on Earth at “4033” (1966)
  • The Battle (1976-02)
  • Sings the Hits of His Country Cousins (1962)
  • Sings 14 Top Country Favorites (1957)
  • You’ve Still Got a Place in My Heart (1984)
  • We Love to Sing About Jesus (1972)
  • Seasons Of My Heart (1970)
  • The Crown Prince of Country Music (1960)
  • Homecoming in Heaven (1962-12)
  • Me and the First Lady (1972)
  • Country and Western #1 Male Singer (1964)
  • George Jones with Love (1971)
  • The Golden Country Hits of George Jones (1975)
  • Will You Visit Me on Sunday (1970-05)
  • A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine (1982)
  • My Favorites of Hank Williams (1962)
  • Singing the Blues (1965)
  • Sings the Great Songs of Leon Payne (1971)
  • I Get Lonely in a Hurry (1964-11)
  • First Time Live (1985)
  • Heartaches and Tears (1964-10)
  • Alone Again (1976)
  • The Novelty Side of George Jones (1963)
  • Wrapped Around Her Finger (1972)
  • With Love (1971)
  • The Best of George Jones 20 Great Hits (1977)
  • George Jones Salutes Hank Williams (1960)
  • Old Brush Arbors (1965)
  • Close Together (1966)
  • Jones Country (1983)
  • George Jones & Gene Pitney (1965)
  • Golden Ring (1976)
  • Love Bug (1966)
  • The George Jones Song Book and Picture Album (1967)
  • Cup of Loneliness (1967)
  • You're in My Heart (1968)
  • Sings More New Favorites (1964)
  • We’re Gonna Hold On (1973)
  • Trouble in Mind (1965-03)
  • George Jones Sings (1957)
  • King of Broken Hearts (1965)
  • Four-O-Thirty Three (1972)
  • Full House (1965)
  • George Jones Sings White Lightning and Other Favorites (1959-12)
  • I Can Still See Him in Your Eyes (1973)
  • You Gotta Be My Baby (1974)
  • I Made Leaving (Easy for You) (1972)
  • Take Me (1972)
  • In a Gospel Way (1973-08)
  • It’s Country Time Again! (1965)
  • A Picture of Me (Without You) (1972)
  • Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes (1985-08)
  • Poor Man’s Riches (1972)
  • The George Jones Story (1968)
  • Double Trouble (1980)
  • The Race Is On (1965)
  • Tender Years (1972)
  • Duets Country Style (1962)
  • Hits By George (1967)
  • First in the Hearts of Country Music Lovers (1972)
  • George Jones Sings From the Heart (1962-07)
  • Bluegrass Hootenanny (1964)
  • The Lone Star Legend (1986)
  • Country Singer (1972)
  • Walk Through This World With Me (1967)
  • Memories of Us (1975)
  • Good Old Bible (1978)
  • I’ll Share My World With You (1969)
  • Together Again (1980-09)
  • New Country Hits (1965)
  • Ladies’ Choice (1984)
  • The Grand Tour (1974)
  • I’m a People (1966)
  • Sings the Songs of Dallas Frazier (1968)
  • I Am What I Am (1980-09)
  • Grand Ole Opry’s New Star George Jones Country Song Hits (1956)
  • I Wanta Sing (1977)
  • If My Heart Had Windows (1968)
  • Sings Country and Western Hits (1962)

Singles

  • Who Shot Sam / White Lightning ()
  • Stranger in the House (1979)
  • Her Name Is... (1976)
  • As Long as I Live / Your Angel Steps Out of Heaven (1968)
  • Close Together (As You and Me) ()
  • C.C. Waterback (1982)
  • Yesterday’s Wine (1982-11)
  • Treasure of Love (1958)
  • The Race Is On / She’s Lonesome Again (1964-09)
  • Treasure of Love / If I Don’t Love You (Grits Ain’t Groceries) (1958)
  • Just One More / Gonna Come Get You (1956)
  • Yesterday’s Wine (1982)
  • Closer Than Ever (1975)
  • Afraid ()
  • White Lightning / Long Time to Forget (1959)
  • He Stopped Loving Her Today (1980-04-14)
  • Small Time Laboring Man (1968-03)