Happy Music Monday! On Friday, the great George Jones went off to join the great band in the sky. Today we're paying tribute to a man who lived like a rock star and sang like- well, nobody'd mistake him for an angel, so we'll just say a hero. We'll start with his first Number One hit, an ode to moonshine.
George Jones - White Lightning
George Jones manages to capture the fun of cooking up illegal liquor. Never mind that it might make you go blind or die. It's fun to take risks! And, truthfully, it's impossible to hear this song and not feel the same way. Say what you will about Snoop Dogg's love of marijuana, but it's no less illegal than George Jones' moonshine. Although Snoop probably can't play the guitar this well.
A former Marine who was born in Texas singing about breaking a Federal law. It just doesn't get more American than that. See you after the jump for more.
As always, remember our Spotify playlist will be featuring a great selection from last week's Music Monday comments. The theme of the mix this time is Directional Songs and no matter which way you turn, you'll find something to love. But before you start reminiscing, check out our current Music Monday, right now.
George Jones & Tammy Wynette - Golden Ring
Of course, George wasn't a solo act for his entire career. His wife/ex-wife/old friend Tammy Wynette suited his mellow heartbreak songs very well. Note how they both seem to be having a great time while singing about two lovers who hate each other? That's teamwork you don't normally find in a musical duo. Not counting Fleetwood Mac.
George Jones - Honky Tonk Song
Of course, George Jones never really hid the sort of man he was. His famous story of sneaking down to the nearest bar on a riding mower after Tammy Wynette hid his keys is only equaled by his alternate personality, a talking duck. All that hard living made for great stories, and when you impress Keith Richards you're doing something right. Even still, dude was still touring as last as 2012, so he must have been doing something right.
George Jones - I'm Gonna Burn Your Playhouse Down
I'll be the first to admit that this bio is really lacking, and that's my fault, because I simply didn't have enough time to do the man and his career justice and still meet my deadline. But I also couldn't let George Jones pass on without giving him a little Music Monday good-bye. In these days of watered-down redneck pop and weird novelty songs, we really could use another sweet-voiced scoundrel like The Possum. So consider this dusting of his life a dare, to you, to go out and learn a little more.
George Jones - A Good Year For The Roses
In the meantime, I'll be listening to these songs all day. Rest in peace, George. Rest in peace.
Post your favorite George Jones songs or story in the comments, if you wanna. Then stop by our Turntable.fm room and the regular Music Monday enjoyment. Also, let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use.