Inspiration That Never Fades: George Jones and the Songs He Stirred in Me
I was lucky enough to see George Jones perform three times in my life. Each time felt like standing in the presence of living history — that unmistakable voice, that ache in every syllable, and the way he could take a simple line and turn it into a lifetime of emotion.
I even had the chance to speak with him briefly and get a few records signed. He was incredibly kind — humble, gracious, and genuine. Those moments stuck with me.
Lately, I’ve been realizing just how much his influence still echoes in my own writing. My song My Friends Jack and Jim was inspired after listening once again to Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down. And my song Thought I Had My Forever came after hearing The Cold Hard Truth.
It’s funny how inspiration works — one moment you’re just listening to a tune you’ve known for years, and the next, a flood of lyrics pours out of you before you even know what’s happening.
I’ve written over 460 songs now, across styles from country to psychedelic to folk and beyond. But the heart of George Jones — that raw honesty, that emotional depth — it’s always there in some form.
I never thought I’d write songs that might be good enough for someone like him to record. Maybe that’s not vanity. Maybe it’s just the natural hope of any songwriter who truly believes in what they do.
Here’s to the legends who inspired us — and to the songs that keep finding their way through us.
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Usually breaking up with a guy or falling in love, for me at least
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That is how I wrote True Haunt. The events I went thorugh as a kid came pouring back when I starting my writing career.
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It is a wonderful feeling. Just that seems to be my fate every day. I have now written more than 450 songs since April. Each one pops out without me having to give any real thought beforehand. A rando...
Expand commentIt is a wonderful feeling. Just that seems to be my fate every day. I have now written more than 450 songs since April. Each one pops out without me having to give any real thought beforehand. A random thought, an image, something I read, or some video online and there go my hands writing out another song.
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Good question, and a lovely insight, Kat Spencer ! I've come up with ideas or let's call them musical moods mostly while reading; screenplays, novels, poetry. Or watching dailies. An actor will delive...
Expand commentGood question, and a lovely insight, Kat Spencer ! I've come up with ideas or let's call them musical moods mostly while reading; screenplays, novels, poetry. Or watching dailies. An actor will deliver a performance that just cries out for a certain compositional accompaniment to their scene. I'll often pull up Cubasis and Iconica on my iPad and sketch something right there, in the editing suite. Usually it's not that good, but it gives me a starting point to either explore further or pass on to a composer.
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The worst thing is when something comes up while half-asleep! You have to rise and write it down, otherwise it will be forgotten by morning ;-D