Jones, by that point, was already a country music legend. Renowned for his powerful, raw vocals, often infused with a hint of vulnerability, he was the perfect vessel for this emotionally charged song. But “He Stopped Loving Her Today” wasn’t an instant success story.
Background
Songwriters Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman actually wrote it a few years prior, initially with a touch of dark humor. They shelved it, unsure of its potential. Producer Billy Sherrill eventually brought it to Jones, who – believe it or not – wasn’t a fan at first. He found it too long, too sad, even depressing. Thankfully, Sherrill persisted.
There’s a reason why Sherrill was so insistent. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” tackles a subject rarely explored in country music at the time – the depths of despair and the finality of death’s grip on love.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture: a man, weathered by life, haunted by the memory of a lost love. The narrator recounts their story, a love so strong it defied time, a love that only death could conquer. The twist at the end, the revelation that the woman has passed away, adds another layer of heartbreak.
But this isn’t just a song about sorrow. It’s a testament to the enduring power of love. The narrator may have “stopped loving her today,” but the implication is clear – the love has never truly died. It lingers, a bittersweet memory that colors his entire existence.
There’s a technical brilliance to the song as well. It’s a lengthy ballad, clocking in at over five minutes, a rarity in country radio at the time. The slow tempo allows the story to unfold organically, each verse building on the emotional weight of the last. The orchestration, unusual for country music, adds a layer of sophistication and grandeur, mirroring the epic nature of the love story being told.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
He said, “I’ll love you till I die”She told him, “You’ll forget in time”As the years went slowly byShe still preyed upon his mindHe kept her picture on his wallWent half crazy now and thenBut he still loved her through it allHoping she’d come back againKept some letters by his bedDated 1962He had underlined in redEvery single, I love youI went to see him just todayOh, but I didn’t see no tearsAll dressed up to go awayFirst time I’d seen him smile in yearsHe stopped loving her todayThey placed a wreath upon his doorAnd soon they’ll carry him awayHe stopped loving her today
Harley