He Stopped Loving Her Today

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"
Single by George Jones
from the album I Am What I Am
Released	April 14, 1980
Genre	Country
Length	3:15
Label	Epic Records
Writer(s)	Bobby Braddock Curly Putman
Producer	Billy Sherrill George Jones
George Jones singles chronology
"Someday My Day Will Come" (1979) "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (1980) "I'm Not Ready Yet" (1980)

"He Stopped Loving Her Today" is the title of a song by American country music artist George Jones that has been named in several surveys as the greatest country song of all time. It was released in April 1980 as the lead single from the album I Am What I Am. The song was Jones's first No. 1 single in six years. The melancholy song was written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman.

Content

The song is performed with Jones telling the story of his "friend" who has never given up on his love. He keeps old letters and photos, and hangs on to hope that she would "come back again." The song reaches its peak with the chorus, telling us that he indeed stopped loving her – when he finally died. (Surprisingly, she attends his funeral.)

Awards

Jones credits the song with reviving his flagging career, stating that "a four-decade career had been salvaged by a three-minute song." Jones earned the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1980. The Academy of Country Music awarded the song Single of the Year and Song of the Year in 1980. It also became the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in both 1980 and 1981.

Chart performance

Chart (1980)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	2

External links

• He Stopped Loving Her Today - The Official Website
• The Story Behind The Song

Preceded by "Trying to Love Two Women" by The Oak Ridge Boys

Billboard Hot Country Singles number-one single July 5, 1980

Succeeded by "You Win Again" by Charley Pride