Introduction:
George Jones, a country music legend known for his powerful vocals and poignant storytelling, released “A Good Year For The Roses” in 1970. The song, a heartbreaking ballad about a failing marriage, quickly rose to prominence, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Composed by songwriter Jerry Chesnut, the song found its perfect voice in Jones’ weathered baritone. Jones, who himself had a tumultuous personal life with multiple marriages and struggles with alcohol, delivered the lyrics with a raw honesty that resonated deeply with listeners.
The genre, Country music, provided the perfect backdrop for this exploration of marital strife. Country music has a long tradition of dealing with heartbreak and the challenges of rural life, and “A Good Year For The Roses” seamlessly fits into this lineage.
While the song was originally a solo effort by Jones, it gained renewed attention in 1994 when he recorded a duet version with a rising country star, Alan Jackson. This version, included on the album The Bradley Barn Sessions, showcased the power of the song across generations. The pairing of Jones’ seasoned voice with Jackson’s youthful tenor added a new layer of depth to the narrative.
The song’s success wasn’t just measured by chart positions. “A Good Year For The Roses” became a staple of Jones’ live performances, a song that elicited a powerful emotional response from audiences. The imagery of the flourishing roses juxtaposed against the withering marriage became a potent symbol for the fragility of love.
The lack of lyrics in the introduction is a deliberate choice. While the song’s power lies heavily in its poignant lyrics, understanding the context – the artist, genre, and historical significance – allows the listener to approach the song with a deeper appreciation. The introduction sets the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds within the song itself.
Video:
Lyrics:
I can hardly bare the sight of lipstickOn the cigarettes there in the ashtrayLyin’ cold the way you left themBut at least your lips caressed them while you packed
And a lip print on a half-filled cup of coffeeThat you poured and didn’t drinkBut at least you thought you wanted itThat’s so much more than I can say for me
It’s been a good year for the rosesMany blooms still linger thereThe lawn could stand another mowin’Funny, I don’t even care
When you turned and walked awayAnd as the door behind you closesThe only thing I know to sayIt’s been a good year for the roses
After three full years of marriageIt’s the first time that you haven’t made the bedI guess the reason we’re not talkin’There’s so little left to say, we haven’t said
While a million thoughts go racin’ through my mindI find I haven’t spoke a wordAnd from the bedroom those familiar soundsOf our one baby’s cryin’ goes unheard
But what a good year for the rosesMany blooms still linger thereThe lawn could stand another mowin’Funny, I don’t even care
When you turned and walked awayAnd as the door behind you closesThe only thing I know to sayIt’s been a good year for the roses