Introduction:
Country music legend George Jones wasn’t known for sunshine and rainbows in his songs. Often crooning about heartache, loneliness, and the struggles of life, Jones carved out a niche as a powerful vocalist who delivered raw emotion. However, in 1983, he struck a different chord with a song that celebrated the unwavering love and good fortune found with a special someone – “I Always Get Lucky With You.”
Released in April 1983, “I Always Get Lucky With You” wasn’t originally a George Jones song. The composition came from a quartet of writers: Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers, Gary Church, and Tex Whitson. Haggard himself recorded the song in 1981 for his album “Big City,” but it was Jones’ version that resonated with audiences. Perhaps it was the sincerity in Jones’ voice, honed over years of conveying heartache, that lent a deeper meaning to the lyrics about finding a constant source of good luck in a loving relationship.
Produced by Billy Sherrill, a country music giant known for his polished “countrypolitan” sound, “I Always Get Lucky With You” became a turning point for Jones’ career. While he was already a revered artist, the song marked his ninth and final number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart as a solo artist (he had previously reached number one with a duet with Gene Pitney in 1967). The song stayed at the top of the charts for a week and remained on the charts for thirteen weeks total.
“I Always Get Lucky With You” stands as a testament to George Jones’ enduring popularity and his ability to connect with listeners on both ends of the emotional spectrum. Though known for his portrayals of hardship, Jones could also deliver a song of pure, unadulterated love and devotion, striking a goldmine with country music fans in the process.