When you've done what he's done. Walked in his boots, been through marriages. Aged to 80. You can bitch about this. But, since never you will ever meet any of those milestones. Don't bitch. Just remember, when he was singing to us when he was going through his "darkest ages".
The man is legendary, BEYOND legendary. Say what u want about THIS particular performance. This man has left a mark in the music history, IN ALL OF MUSIC HISTORY, that no one will ever reach, that no one can ever touch. You're looking at greatness when u see him.
You don't have to sing like Pavarotti to pull off country music but you do need
heart and soul. That is what traditional country is about, and this performance is very touching. He is an old man telling the story of a friend who has lived a life of torment and he feels his friend's pain as he tells the story.
Excellent performance. He seems to get better with this tale as he ages.
I absolutely love this performance.....warts and all.....so real. George Jones....in the prime of life. I also really enjoyed what David Letterman said at the beginning of the show about Mr. Jones and this song. I have seen it on YouTube before, but have not located it lately. Very funny, and true.
voices come and go at times sometimes go out for several years before coming back, sometimes never come back hopefully it will return but at his age I doubt it, if he never sang again he will always be one of the greatest ever
I am very sadden to see this video of one of my greatest singer in country music. when I was 13 years old I use to play his albums lp. Im hitting 50 and still listen to his music. this video brouht tears to my eyes.
I love his music but this was not his best day to say the least. George was better than any other country singer from the start of his career all the way through the 90's, but I think he should have quit playing concerts after that. I hate to see him like this and I want to remember him like he was in his prime. I'm not trying to insult George at all, I'm just saying that a singer needs to know when his career should be over. His music will live on forever. God bless George Jones.
George may struggle in this performance, and it bothers me. But no matter what, George does give it all he's got and you can still feel the song in a way that no other performer could come close to making you feel. I think that this performance adds to the sadness of the greatest country song ever!
It breaks my heart to hear that voice loved the world over struggle. Is it only because we compare this performance against the Single we all remember from 25 years earlier that we think its a sad performance? Then I listened again, and I was rocked by a truly haunting performance of a gut-wrenching song by a man who despite his best efforts to the contrary, survived to not only record this in 1980, but again in 2006. Legend isnt enough of a word.
How can anyone in country music take this man's place. george, you know me as I am asongwriter here in nashville. My friend you are too awesome. I will always love you my friend. Hope you are doing well.
i have just bought my first george jones cd. then i quickly bought another 5. This guy is just a god when it comes to country music. i hope he lives forever and keeps giving us this talent. his voice is just simply beautiful.
George has been my favorite singer since I first heard him 18 yrs ago. I am a musician myself & was instantly struck at how perfectly each syllable he sings matches the exact emotion he is expressing.. its like God decided to make the perfect singing voice & picked George Jones.
There are dozens of songs that were written specifically for George that no one else dare even touch, because the ranges are too big & the words so plain.. George MAKES these songs great. Cherish him while you can.
Im going to see George in Salem, VA on Feb 6th. 8th row seats for $39. I tell you now, thats the best money I have ever spent. I am so excted about it as it's a priviledge I appreciate having.
Thanks. And, to you, ashuron23, I bet you would love to pay $100.00 to see him play for half an hour when you probably couldn't get good seats, and, he's not as good as he used to be. That happens to everyone when they get old, and, when I see their ticket prices, they usually mark them down quite a bit. But, they're just about as good as they used to be. I'm just not going to pay a lot for anybody, anyway, but especially not when they're not as good as they used to be. No offense to Mr. Jones.
again... when you're 77, love to hear you sing. fuck off asshole. i don't reply to very many people, but well, i'm making an exception for you. die in a fire please.
The way he does the song now, he has slowed down the cadence, changed a couple words - to me this version is better than the original recording, which was huge. George at 77 is still a master. I'll take George Jones singing this song at 77 over pretty much everybody else on the planet.
Theres no way any of his songs sung at age 77 are better than the originals, sorry. I think you need to go back and listen to them, his voice used to be flawless from the 50's to the early 80's, perfect pitch, not cracks. That said I'd go see him sing no matter what age.
How sweet it is to be able to communicate with everybody through CyberSpace. I thought you'd like to hear about my new latest project. I'm so excited. 40 Years of The Voice. My how time flies... You are the reason we do what I do and for that I thank you. Feel free to drop by my page and show some love. Special thanks to the owner of this page for keeping the music flowing 'specialy my "Pal" George. Vern
Moneys not an object when it comes to seeing George sing. I'd pay more to see him than most of todays country artists who could'nt sing worth a damn with out back up and smoke screens and voice overs. Georges music tells a story and its coming from a man who lived thru better than 50 years in the country music industry. A ledgend.
George is still George, He sings better at 80 then I'd ever hope too. That is a damn hard song to do, you gotta have better than average range to pull it off.
Hope I can sing like that when I'm 80, too! Love this guy. Everything today is so homogenized; no soul. When he goes, nobody will fill his shoes. God Bless you George...
good God..... this performance is powerful... spine shivers the whole time i watched this.... couldn't stop crying... 50+ years of singing.... this man is amazing... what can one say.... no one's better at singing than George Jones
i went to see him not very long ago and he still sounded great....cours it took him a little while to warm up his voice but he still had a great singing voice...he is now and will forever be the King of country music and no one will be able to fill his shoes.....
as i stated above he died twice on the way to the hospital in 99' after his accident he's lucky to be alive today as i told the perons above his legacy will last 10xs yours
What feeling he still has in that voice," The legend" can still knock your socks off , the voice may not be as steady as it was but my goodness there is just noone who can feel a song like george, even now. ( or ever)
Afer all the times he's sung this song, you'd think he'd hate it, but the age in his voice has added another dimension to the ultimate "broken heart" song.
i think part of the reason he sounds bad in this song is that the song itself is slowed down alot with all the orchestra instruments in it...hwe was trying to adapt it to that sound...but neverless he's still the possum...and there will never be another one.
lhite pretty much hit the nail on the head. If you are a George fan i recommend reading his book he has out. Tells you alot about his life and how screwed up he was for years. Its scary. Just the fact hes still performing is amazing in itself. Go George!
Yeah it's sad 'but you can always listen to the old records and you know once you get past the first few lines you realise old George can still tear your heart out!!
well, he is 75 years old -- and given the amount of drugs and alcohol he's consumed over the years, it's pretty amazing he's still alive, to say nothing of still being able to perform. i agree, he doesn't sound as good as he did 20 years ago -- but yet when he does one of his classics like this, he still sounds pretty darn good.
When you've done what he's done. Walked in his boots, been through marriages. Aged to 80. You can bitch about this. But, since never you will ever meet any of those milestones. Don't bitch. Just remember, when he was singing to us when he was going through his "darkest ages".
wabamlol 2 months ago
The man is legendary, BEYOND legendary. Say what u want about THIS particular performance. This man has left a mark in the music history, IN ALL OF MUSIC HISTORY, that no one will ever reach, that no one can ever touch. You're looking at greatness when u see him.
dandrewi 3 months ago
You don't have to sing like Pavarotti to pull off country music but you do need
heart and soul. That is what traditional country is about, and this performance is very touching. He is an old man telling the story of a friend who has lived a life of torment and he feels his friend's pain as he tells the story.
Excellent performance. He seems to get better with this tale as he ages.
TheForrestal 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
who care............he is the best READ BETWEEN THE LINES
possumfan1 9 months ago
who care............he is the best READ BETWEEN THE LINES
possumfan1 9 months ago
Worst performance of the song ever... He has lost it...
DannyDad208 11 months ago
Hi
DannyDad208 11 months ago
I absolutely love this performance.....warts and all.....so real. George Jones....in the prime of life. I also really enjoyed what David Letterman said at the beginning of the show about Mr. Jones and this song. I have seen it on YouTube before, but have not located it lately. Very funny, and true.
freeflightg550 1 year ago
YOU ARE THE MAN GEORGE JONES. NO ONE CAN SING A COUNTRY SONG QUITE LIKE YOU CAN AND NEARLY ALL OF THEM HAVE TRIED YOUR STYLE ...
baltimoreyankee 1 year ago
I still remember when I saw this on over the air TV and it sent chills down my spine. This is as real as it gets.
TheJoeyEmilyShow 1 year ago
Man i tell you what.!!!! Thats pure Country Music.
kentucky9000 1 year ago
Listen to him tell the story.....I bet it would still be the bomb even if he had to do it in sign language. george is soulful.
mrhoneydroplet 1 year ago
#1 country singer of all times george jones
sonoftaz 1 year ago
He does not have a cold, he had surgery on his nec k from the car crash. Never sang the same since.
UnlimitedC 1 year ago
at least hes lip sing
eddiejlauzon 1 year ago
@TerryII Jones will always sound great...he's soon to be eighty. I bet Ol' George never though he'd last that long! He's Lived A Hard Life
bigsoonerfanatic 1 year ago
voices come and go at times sometimes go out for several years before coming back, sometimes never come back hopefully it will return but at his age I doubt it, if he never sang again he will always be one of the greatest ever
joshuabmartin1979 1 year ago
He alomst look like glen cambell. I say George still got it. I don't know too many singers his age still sounding good.
KingMellow11 1 year ago
I can't believe people don't like this version. It is so heart felt and moving. Having a singer like George Jones on Letterman is an event!
steelactor 1 year ago 2
Wow - he sure did sound rough there; I agree with xms32; still an amazing talent. It'll be one sad day when it's time to say goodbye.
vjnappo 1 year ago
Honey he's gettin old like us
harleyozz54 1 year ago
I am very sadden to see this video of one of my greatest singer in country music. when I was 13 years old I use to play his albums lp. Im hitting 50 and still listen to his music. this video brouht tears to my eyes.
inkslinger1961 1 year ago
george was a good singer but he is just a man just like any other one.
honeyman1964 1 year ago
I love his music but this was not his best day to say the least. George was better than any other country singer from the start of his career all the way through the 90's, but I think he should have quit playing concerts after that. I hate to see him like this and I want to remember him like he was in his prime. I'm not trying to insult George at all, I'm just saying that a singer needs to know when his career should be over. His music will live on forever. God bless George Jones.
1985jsn 1 year ago
George may struggle in this performance, and it bothers me. But no matter what, George does give it all he's got and you can still feel the song in a way that no other performer could come close to making you feel. I think that this performance adds to the sadness of the greatest country song ever!
Pfaff1352 2 years ago
It breaks my heart to hear that voice loved the world over struggle. Is it only because we compare this performance against the Single we all remember from 25 years earlier that we think its a sad performance? Then I listened again, and I was rocked by a truly haunting performance of a gut-wrenching song by a man who despite his best efforts to the contrary, survived to not only record this in 1980, but again in 2006. Legend isnt enough of a word.
finsuptx 2 years ago 2
He stopped drinking booze today. They placed a mute upon his mic. He threw the lyrics sheet away. He stopped drinking booze today.
rrbowker2002 2 years ago
We saw George a few months ago in Virginia. His voice was strong and the performance was terrific.
Can't wait to hear him again.
bill1mouse 2 years ago 5
No you didn't, you didn't see George in concert. George is losing his voice, so no it's not strong and terrific.
pittresident 2 years ago
I saw george last year he was terrific he had alittle trouble with the high notes but still amazing
snoboi92 2 years ago
Somehow he gets better with age.
RHMETAL 2 years ago 2
Simply amazing there are no words to describe this mans talent.
azwolf1993 2 years ago 5
hang in there possum you still got it..
cdgraves68 2 years ago 3
Jones on his worst day is still 1 million times better than any of today's country "stars" on their best.
lwms135 2 years ago 27
@lwms135 Fuckin' A right.
zackepple 1 year ago
How can anyone in country music take this man's place. george, you know me as I am asongwriter here in nashville. My friend you are too awesome. I will always love you my friend. Hope you are doing well.
cinelliott46 2 years ago 2
"Who's Gonna Fill their Shoes"?
baxill23 2 years ago
i have just bought my first george jones cd. then i quickly bought another 5. This guy is just a god when it comes to country music. i hope he lives forever and keeps giving us this talent. his voice is just simply beautiful.
bonnieisbest 2 years ago 2
George has been my favorite singer since I first heard him 18 yrs ago. I am a musician myself & was instantly struck at how perfectly each syllable he sings matches the exact emotion he is expressing.. its like God decided to make the perfect singing voice & picked George Jones.
There are dozens of songs that were written specifically for George that no one else dare even touch, because the ranges are too big & the words so plain.. George MAKES these songs great. Cherish him while you can.
ziggyindigo74 3 years ago
Im going to see George in Salem, VA on Feb 6th. 8th row seats for $39. I tell you now, thats the best money I have ever spent. I am so excted about it as it's a priviledge I appreciate having.
5XChamps2 3 years ago
Thanks. And, to you, ashuron23, I bet you would love to pay $100.00 to see him play for half an hour when you probably couldn't get good seats, and, he's not as good as he used to be. That happens to everyone when they get old, and, when I see their ticket prices, they usually mark them down quite a bit. But, they're just about as good as they used to be. I'm just not going to pay a lot for anybody, anyway, but especially not when they're not as good as they used to be. No offense to Mr. Jones.
RHMETAL 3 years ago
To everyone who gave me thumbs down, how about this. Pay $100.00 to see him sing when he's not as good as he use to be. Think about that.
RHMETAL 3 years ago
again... when you're 77, love to hear you sing. fuck off asshole. i don't reply to very many people, but well, i'm making an exception for you. die in a fire please.
ashuron23 3 years ago
The way he does the song now, he has slowed down the cadence, changed a couple words - to me this version is better than the original recording, which was huge. George at 77 is still a master. I'll take George Jones singing this song at 77 over pretty much everybody else on the planet.
PrinceBandar 3 years ago
Theres no way any of his songs sung at age 77 are better than the originals, sorry. I think you need to go back and listen to them, his voice used to be flawless from the 50's to the early 80's, perfect pitch, not cracks. That said I'd go see him sing no matter what age.
Buried3030 3 years ago
Comment removed
jillexia 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hello Country Fans !
How sweet it is to be able to communicate with everybody through CyberSpace. I thought you'd like to hear about my new latest project. I'm so excited. 40 Years of The Voice. My how time flies... You are the reason we do what I do and for that I thank you. Feel free to drop by my page and show some love. Special thanks to the owner of this page for keeping the music flowing 'specialy my "Pal" George. Vern
verngosdin 3 years ago
absolutley fantastic!!!! the greatest singer to ever hold a micraphone!!!!
god bless george jones!
slobjob13 3 years ago
Moneys not an object when it comes to seeing George sing. I'd pay more to see him than most of todays country artists who could'nt sing worth a damn with out back up and smoke screens and voice overs. Georges music tells a story and its coming from a man who lived thru better than 50 years in the country music industry. A ledgend.
greenltc96 3 years ago 3
omg! you should have been a musician yourself... cause you for real hit that note!!!!
kyredneck26 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's just getting old. He can still sing for his age, but he's not worth a whole bunch of money!!!!!
RHMETAL 3 years ago
let's see how you sing when you're 77 k? stfu.
ashuron23 3 years ago
I think he sounded bad...love him tho.
Stinkyjig 3 years ago 2
one of the all time great ones. wish he hadn't had a face lift. The lines on his face were the tales of his life.
texastwostep 4 years ago 11
This is the single best country singer we will ever see. Enjoy.
samjhatfield 4 years ago 2
George is still George, He sings better at 80 then I'd ever hope too. That is a damn hard song to do, you gotta have better than average range to pull it off.
smilnjac 4 years ago 4
Who can sing it from the heart like George? Very few in music ever have. What a legend! He is one of the last in country. Enjoy this live while we
can.
dmeadows555 4 years ago 4
Hope I can sing like that when I'm 80, too! Love this guy. Everything today is so homogenized; no soul. When he goes, nobody will fill his shoes. God Bless you George...
5stringkeith 4 years ago 4
AMEN! We've lost Conway & Waylon...least we still have Willie n' Possum!!!
WA4RRN 4 years ago 2
so great to see him playing Letterman.... man if only kids paid attention to music like this..they might learn a little but about life..
jr8819 4 years ago 2
You could not be more right!
olshitass 3 years ago
..if you don't feel this, you have no soul........
bordercolliue 4 years ago 3
Amen!
mjhlwnt 3 years ago
good job george,, a real fan sees ya the way ya were <<we all get old pal
twiztedforever 4 years ago
George got better at this song as his voice aged; like a fine, fine whiskey.
dpetrano 4 years ago 2
good God..... this performance is powerful... spine shivers the whole time i watched this.... couldn't stop crying... 50+ years of singing.... this man is amazing... what can one say.... no one's better at singing than George Jones
dandrewi 4 years ago
George is the man, WHITE POWER!!
evdog2k3 4 years ago
listening to him sing this song sends shivers up my spine
larry01982 4 years ago 2
we went to see him a couple months ago, and he sounded better than this ??!!!
Bigwi1991 4 years ago 3
Amazing. Letterman replayed this episode 11/20/2007
YKMav8r 4 years ago 3
i went to see him not very long ago and he still sounded great....cours it took him a little while to warm up his voice but he still had a great singing voice...he is now and will forever be the King of country music and no one will be able to fill his shoes.....
jacobo1967 4 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
he died and forgot to lay down !!
customcomp135 4 years ago
He's still got it
cwf081166 4 years ago
he sounded drunk or druged up or maybe hes sick again god bless him
elviskid80 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's freaken old dumbass
cwf081166 4 years ago
as i stated above he died twice on the way to the hospital in 99' after his accident he's lucky to be alive today as i told the perons above his legacy will last 10xs yours
guitarwizard84 4 years ago
he's almost 80 years old almost died in 99' give the guy a break his legacy will live on 10x's yours
guitarwizard84 4 years ago
I love you George
ralfrecords 4 years ago 2
THE REAL KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mlmtam 4 years ago
What feeling he still has in that voice," The legend" can still knock your socks off , the voice may not be as steady as it was but my goodness there is just noone who can feel a song like george, even now. ( or ever)
pedalman 4 years ago 2
does anyone out there have George Jones singing Take Me (to Siberia)? please post it if you do I would love to hear it one more time
prplfantasy 4 years ago
George Jones is awesome. He's Simply The Best! And this song is timeless. I love it!
recklessreckra 4 years ago
Jones is the greatest.... always was, always will be.
leon1488 4 years ago 3
Afer all the times he's sung this song, you'd think he'd hate it, but the age in his voice has added another dimension to the ultimate "broken heart" song.
shan128 5 years ago
The best country singer God ever blew breath in. No one does it better!
Glorify27 5 years ago
yep, George was quite the coke head for some time. as pudman suggests, read his autobiography. he's quite open about his drug abuse.
lhite 5 years ago
George singing it now, is more touching than when he first sang it. such a great song. thx for uploading it.
kevindelk13 5 years ago
This old man can still sing!
baritone816 5 years ago
i think part of the reason he sounds bad in this song is that the song itself is slowed down alot with all the orchestra instruments in it...hwe was trying to adapt it to that sound...but neverless he's still the possum...and there will never be another one.
ChadHebert 5 years ago
lhite pretty much hit the nail on the head. If you are a George fan i recommend reading his book he has out. Tells you alot about his life and how screwed up he was for years. Its scary. Just the fact hes still performing is amazing in itself. Go George!
pudman33 5 years ago
Yeah it's sad 'but you can always listen to the old records and you know once you get past the first few lines you realise old George can still tear your heart out!!
okgibson335 5 years ago
It's sad to hear him sound like this. Reminds me of Johnny Cash near the end of his life.
JawsJaws 5 years ago
well, he is 75 years old -- and given the amount of drugs and alcohol he's consumed over the years, it's pretty amazing he's still alive, to say nothing of still being able to perform. i agree, he doesn't sound as good as he did 20 years ago -- but yet when he does one of his classics like this, he still sounds pretty darn good.
lhite 5 years ago
Absolutely love this song. The greatest country song ever written.
clarebannerman 5 years ago
George still !
kingsizeplayboy 5 years ago