Introduction:
Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me, a song synonymous with country music legend George Jones, was released in 1965. This heartfelt ballad falls under the umbrella of the classic country music genre, characterized by its focus on storytelling and themes of everyday life. While Jones himself is undeniably the face of the song, the songwriting credits belong to Earl Bud Duncan and Claude Gray. The man behind the production desk for Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me was Billy Sherrill, a pivotal figure who helped shape the country music sound of the 1960s and 1970s.
Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me not only became a signature song for George Jones but also transcended genres to achieve widespread recognition. The song’s commercial success was undeniable. It reigned at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for an impressive eight weeks. Furthermore, Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 44. This dual-chart success solidified the song’s place in country music history.
The enduring legacy of Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me is evident in the numerous covers it has garnered over the years. Music giants like Elvis Presley, Kenny Chesney, and Alan Jackson have all lent their voices to this timeless track. This widespread adoption by other artists is a testament to the song’s emotional resonance and its ability to connect with listeners across generations.
Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me stands out not just for its commercial achievements but also for its lyrical content. The song explores themes of faith and gratitude. The narrator, despite facing hardships like a boll weevil infestation and a barn fire, expresses thankfulness to God for the blessings in his life. This introspective look at faith, delivered with Jones’ signature vocals, resonates with listeners on a personal level, making Lord, You’ve Been Mighty Good To Me a country music treasure.
Video:
Lyrics:
(Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me.)
This year the boll weevil, he lives in my cotton
The big river flooded out my corn in the bottom
Talk about a man with troubles I’ve got ’em.
But you’ve been mighty good to me.
Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me.
My barn burned down and it was nearly new
A rat must of knawed the wires in two
But don’t get me wrong I’m not fussin’ at you.
For you’ve been mighty good to me.
Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me.
{Lord,} you’ve been mighty good to me
You’ve let me keep my family
To me you never have been rude
You keep my table filled with food.
And I thank you every night and day
‘Cause I don’t, enough I should say.
Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me.
My best horse fell and broke both hind legs
What chickens I have they won’t lay any eggs
But you know, Lord, I never borrow or beg
For you’ve been mighty good to me
Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me.
(Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me
You’ve let me keep my family
To me you never have been rude
You keep my table filled with food.)
My best horse fell and broke both hind legs
What chickens I have they won’t lay any eggs
But you know, Lord, I never borrow or beg
For you’ve been mighty good to me
Yes, you’ve been mighty good to me.
You’ve been mighty good to me
Lord, you’ve been mighty good to me…