“PROOF OF THE POSSUM”
by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’
There is an old saying that “Country Songs” comprise “three chords & the truth”& , on the whole, unremittingly sad. Without any doubt, the ” masterpiece” ” He stopped loving her today”, recorded in 1980 by “Country Icon ” George Jones, not only adhered to the “old saying”, but found a way to transcend it. It was indeed a 3 chord song, done in 6 chords if you take the “change of key”, plus, it was a very sad song, although, like most Country Songs, the “Story of Life”, as we know it.
The song was co-composed by Bobby Braddock & Curly Putman & the “sadness” was magnificently amplified by Producer Billy Sherrill especially when sung by “the possum” George Jones.
The accolades for the song were immediate. It won Grammy, Academy of Country Music & CMA Awards & continues to amass honours, including selection by the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board in 2009 & on numerous other occasions was actually given the title of ” the greatest Country Song of all time” on various “Media Lists”. The very strange fact that the only thing that can match the lofty status of the song , is the unlikeliness of the circumstances behind the creation of the song, & it’s recording.
In 1980, George Jones was at a very “low point” both professionally & personally.Substance abuse, drinking to excess & the usual merry-go-round that most “entertainers” seem to climb aboard on, resulted in the lessening of the success of his recent albums & “Singles”, in comparison to the popularity he had enjoyed at the start of his “Country-Career”. As a result of his “binges” , George “missed” fronting up for some performances , earning him the nickname “no-show” Jones. Yes, “the possum” was in a pretty bad way, when “the wheels of fortune” suddenly turned, as they do and legendary producer Billy Sherrill, who was out looking for some material for George’s next album & came upon this song about one man’s unwavering devotion for a former love.
Bobby Braddock & Curly Putman, ironically enough, had had a previous “hit” for Tammy Wynette, called “D I V O R C E “. Just previously, George Jones & Tammy Wynette’s tumultous marriage, although gaining many song-hits together, ended in divorce In 1975. When Billy Sherrill first heard ” He stopped loving her today”, he liked it, but, being the “producer” he was, wanted somethig extra for the song and added in the narrative “bit” in the middle, before calling his “Star” in to listen to the song before recording it.
At the start, George Jones was not too happy with the song. “Nobody will buy that sad son of a bitch” said the Possum, but his production crew managed to change his mind about the song, and, after some difficulty, especially with the ” narrative” George Jones recorded the song with so much “feeling” , many were the audiences hearing the song for the first time, reaching out for many boxes of tissues around them.
Dear readers, I have tried to do my very best for this song purely as a tribute to George Jones.
However, Possum, you can rest ease now (he passed away at the age of 82, recently), no-one can do this song better and thats a fact.
Desmond Kelly
Star of eLanka
Please note. The third album of ” Especially for You” is proudly presented by eLanka & dedicated to all “Country-Cousins”, purely as a tribute to my various Country Stars & the music that helps keep our feet solidly on the ground. There are 20 great songs on the album. Please check eLanka for details. D.K.
