Released in 1981, it became the lead single for Jones’ album Still the Same Ole Me, and quickly shot to number one on the Billboard country charts. But “Still Doin’ Time” is more than just a chart-topper; it’s a masterclass in heartbreak, regret, and the soul-crushing weight of self-destruction.
Background
Jones, by this point in his career, was already a legend. Nicknamed “The Possum” for his distinctive high tenor and penchant for hard living, he’d built a reputation for singing songs that mirrored the struggles of the working class.
“Still Doin’ Time” picks up right where “He Stopped Loving Her Today” left off. This time, though, the narrator isn’t mourning a lost love; he’s drowning in the consequences of his own infidelity.
The song unfolds like a man trapped in a self-made prison. The “bar for a cell”, the “ocean of liquor” – these are metaphors that paint a vivid picture of a man drowning his sorrows, unable to escape the ghosts of his past. Jones’ voice, raw and weathered, perfectly embodies this sense of despair.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today”, released just a few years prior, had cemented his status as a country music icon, a singer who could wring every ounce of emotion from a lyric. “Still Doin’ Time” is a song that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever grappled with regret or the consequences of their actions.
It’s a reminder of the human capacity for both love and destruction, and the toll that both can take. But most importantly, it’s a testament to the power of George Jones’ voice, a voice that could turn heartache into a three-minute masterpiece.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Has it been a year since the last time I’ve seen herMy God, I could swear it was tenAnd the ocean of liquor I drank to forget herIs gonna kill me but I’ll drink ’til thenI’ve been livin’ in hell with a bar for a cellStill payin’ for my cheatin’ crimeOh, and I’ve got a long way to goStill doin’ timeStill doin’ time in a honky tonk prisonStill doin’ time, where a man ain’t forgivenMy poor heart is breakin’Oh, but there’s no escapin’Each morning I wake up and I findStill doin’ time
Harley