George Jones – Finally Friday

Released in 1992 on his album Walls Can Fall, “Finally Friday” arrived at a time when Jones was nearing his sixties. But here he is, still embodying the spirit of a man weary from the workweek, yearning for release. The song opens with a simple yet powerful statement: “I got a hundred dollars smokin’ in my billfold.” We can practically feel the weight of the workweek on his shoulders, the anticipation of a night out burning a hole in his pocket.

Background

This internal conflict – the knowledge he should save his money versus the desperate need to let loose – is a recurring theme in country music. It’s the tension between responsibility and the desire to escape the daily grind. But Jones doesn’t dwell on the guilt.

The chorus explodes with pure, unadulterated joy: “It’s finally Friday, I’m free again!” The steel guitar wails, the tempo picks up, and we’re right there with him, ready to throw off the shackles of the workweek and embrace the wild weekend.

 There’s a bittersweet undercurrent to the lyrics. Jones sings about “Monday mornin’, I’ll be broke again,” acknowledging the inevitable return to reality. He knows the good times won’t last, but for now, he’s determined to forget the “workin’ blues” and let the good times roll.

“Finally Friday” isn’t just about blowing off steam, though. This song is a reminder of the simple pleasures in life, the joy of a hard-earned break, and the camaraderie of shared experiences.

It’s a song that resonates with anyone who’s ever punched a clock and dreamed of a weekend escape. And when it comes to delivering that sentiment, well, there’s simply no one who does it better than the Possum himself, George Jones.