George Jones quotes

George Jones was an American country music singer and songwriter, renowned for his rich voice and emotional delivery. Often called "The Possum," he became an icon in the country music genre with numerous chart-topping hits. He influenced generations of musicians and is remembered as one of the greatest vocalists in country music history. Here are 15 of his quotes:

Maybe some folks are alcoholics and others are just voluntary drunks. Maybe some folks drink due to body chemistry and others due to their lazy characters. Maybe some have drinking problems, while others have problems enough to drink.

George Jones

It's never been for love of money. I thank God for it because it makes me a living. But I sing because I love it, not because of the dollar signs.

George Jones

I've seen hate change many things for the worse. I've seen love change everything for the good.

George Jones

After the first couple of years recording I did a lot of praying. I said, 'Lord, please give me a hit.' I want one so bad.

George Jones

I couldn't think or eat nothin' unless it was Hank Williams, and I couldn't wait for his next record to come out. He had to be, really, the greatest.

George Jones

While he and his idol, Hank Williams, have both affected generations with a plaintive veracity of voice that has set them apart, Jones has an additional gift-a voice of exceptional range, natural elegance, and lucent tone. Gliding toward high tenor, plunging toward deep bass, the magisterial portamento of his onward-coursing baritone emits white-hot sparks and torrents of blue, investing his poison love songs with a tragic gravity and inflaming his celebrations of the honky-tonk ethos with the hellfire of abandon.

George Jones

I would give anything if I could sing like George Jones.

George Jones

The greatest thing since sliced bread.

George Jones

I took my $100,000 and bought a new Corvette, a lot of cocaine, and spent the rest on foolishness.

George Jones

My mama loved me more than anybody ever did.

George Jones

Roy Acuff was a big hero for me, and I was so sad when he passed. It's hard as you get older to lose your friends and family.

George Jones

There was no such thing as production at Starday. We'd go in with the band, we'd go over the song, I'd look over and tell the steel player to take a break or kick it off, and I'd get the fiddle to play a turnaround in the middle.

George Jones

I miss all of my old friends who have passed away. Sometimes you just don't understand why they were taken so soon. I loved and miss Johnny Cash. I miss my old buddy Johnny Paycheck, who happens to be buried in an area of the cemetery that I bought for my family.

George Jones