Introduction
Alan Jackson Honors George Jones with “He Stopped Loving Her Today”: A Farewell Etched in Country Music History
There are moments in music that transcend performance, moments when a song stops being just melody and words and becomes something sacred. One such moment came in 2013, at the funeral of George Jones, when Alan Jackson quietly stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage. Removing his hat, he stood in silence before beginning the opening line of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” The room seemed to stop breathing. This was not a concert—it was a farewell, a testimony, and a reminder of why country music remains one of the most deeply human art forms ever created.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” has long been regarded as the greatest country song ever recorded, yet its story is as unlikely as it is powerful. Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, the song was first handed to George Jones in 1979. At the time, Jones’s career was faltering, his personal life consumed by struggles with addiction and heartbreak. When producer Billy Sherrill suggested the song, Jones scoffed. Too sad, too slow, too grim, he said. He even admitted he thought no one would want to hear such a tragic ballad. But Sherrill insisted, pushing Jones to record what would become not just a turning point in his career, but the defining song of his lifetime.
When it was released in 1980, the song soared to No. 1 and won Jones a Grammy, ACM, and CMA Awards. More than accolades, though, it resurrected his career and gave him an anthem that would forever bind his name to the heart of country music. Its story of unending love that only death could silence struck chords with millions, capturing grief in its purest form.
At Jones’s funeral, Alan Jackson’s performance felt like history folding back on itself. His voice carried both reverence and sorrow, echoing through the Opry as though Jones himself had returned for one last encore. Every note carried the weight of friendship, legacy, and respect. For those present, it wasn’t just Alan honoring George—it was country music honoring one of its greatest prophets.
To this day, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” is more than a classic. It is a cultural touchstone, a reminder of how music can mirror our deepest losses and our most unshakable loves. And that quiet day in Nashville, Alan Jackson ensured that George Jones’s song—his masterpiece—would never stop living in the hearts of millions.