Now, don't get me wrong, I love George Jones' singing as much as anybody, nobody sings or turns a phrase better than George...but I guess I must be a cynic, because when I hear that song, I don't hear a song about a pure undying love...I hear a song about a pathetic compulsive alcoholic who refuses to move on, poring over old love letters and occasionaly going half-crazy, which I assume means going on a drunken bender over it...sitting around by himself after work, drinking himself into an early grave. I understand that that's what makes it a country song..otherwise it would be a pop tune...I guess I'd just like the all-time best country tune to be a little more uplifting.

And I can't help myself..I always see George grinning and doing those talking lines in the song like this...

"You know she came to see him one last time
Oh and we all wondered if she would
And it kept running through my mind
You know, Gosh-DARN, she sure looks good!"

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 10 October 2005 at 01:47 PM.]

It went to #1 in th charts and won CMA "Single Of The Year".

Kind Regards, Walter

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

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http://www.steelguitar.ca

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

I did goofy "re-writes" long before Weird Al Yankovic.

quote:

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"He Stopped Stalking Her Today"...

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There's absolutely nothing in the song about stalking. To stalk is to actively go after someone. Not one word or implication about that here, IMO. Quite to the contrary, this tune paints a pathetic soul who simply couldn't go on. You're free to extrapolate as you see fit - some jilted lovers do stalk - but it seems to me you're making a stretch here.

You have to admit that the first time you ever heard it you thought this is great... here's a guy who's got it together and is moving on. Then George sang about the wreath upon his door, and you said, oh, wait a minute...

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HagFan

quote:

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Using the Lords name in vain is VERY uncalled for.

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...right you are, Theresa...I edited the original post.

...and Ron, I think you're right in that it's a well written song that doesn't spell it out for you...a well written song lets you fill in the blanks. You're right, this song does, as evidenced by the different interpretations of the same lyrics.

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 10 October 2005 at 08:07 AM.]

quote:

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It paints a picture, or rather a visual framwork and lets the listener fill in the details with their own impressions or conclusions.

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Yes, this is precisely why I think it's better not to directly incorporate specific tags like "drunk" or "stalker". Of course, people can and will fill in additional details from their own personal experience. That is a big part of what makes this such a great song, and universally identifiable to so many people.

This is much like impressionist vs. realist paintings. Would we alter a Monet or Renoir with a photographically detailed section?

Clint Black in "Nothin' But The Tail Lights" mumbling to himself about what he's gonna do when "I find that pickup truck"...

...Little Sister in "That's the Night That The Lights Went Out in Georgia"...

...but the ultimate stalker song is the old pop standard, "Two Silhouettes on the Shade"...let me in or else I'll beat down your door!

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 10 October 2005 at 10:08 AM.]

(I'm going from memory, perhaps the song wasn't actually written by Merle but I think it's on his "The Way I Am" album.)

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HagFan

PS: "Wake Up" lyrics are here

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 10 October 2005 at 01:10 PM.]

I agree with Craig, I think it was about his wife laying there like he wasn't there. Actually, I think he may have written it about Leona.

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

I think the literal interpretation makes the song more unique. Otherwise, it's like "Is It Cold In Here (or is it just you)" or "Shelly's Winter Love".

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HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 11 October 2005 at 08:32 AM.]

The melody to “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” is so simple that it’s great, the chord progress is 1, 4, 5 and its only change is a half step modulation. The first verse sets up the story, the second tells of hope, the third details that hope and verse four provides closure. Wrapping thirty years of the main character’s life into four verses and the fifth verse dedicated to the story teller, yet the song is not wordy and provided sufficient room for a melodic fills by a lead instrument. Plus, the tempo made it a perfect “Belly Rubber,” which can make for a big turn out on the dance floor. The song was simple to learn, so it was covered by a lot of local bands who added it to their play list and when you put all of those things together you have a song that last, and last, and last.

Kind Regards, Walter

Donny, you aren't the only writer here!

Lem

[This message was edited by Lem Smith on 13 October 2005 at 10:28 PM.]