George Jones: The Songwriter

2)  “Why Baby Why” was George’s first chart single that went to #4 in 1955 on the Starday record label.  He co-wrote the upbeat cheatin’ song with childhood friend Darrell Edwards who had been inspired by overhearing a couple arguing at a gas station.  During this period George was trying to find his own style as a singer and songwriter.  Producer and label owner Pappy Daily had pointed out to his young act, on an earlier recording session, that there was already a Lefty Frizell, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams.  Daily asked “What does George Jones sound like?  George doesn’t sound like he was trying to imitate Hank on this track but he certainly tips his hat to his greatest influence and hero.  The simple, short note, repetitive melody, with a sawing cajun fiddle, and Don Helms style lap steel sounds like it would fit right in a Williams set with “Hey, Good Lookin’”, “Jambalaya”, or “Why Don’t You Love Me”.  The no frills, raw emotion of the Chorus lyrics, the colorful, almost humorous lyrics of the verses, and the word “honky tonkin’” thrown in twice for good measure sound as if they could have come from the Hillbilly Shakespeare himself.  Red Sovine and Webb Pierce recorded a duet of “Why Baby Why” that went to #1 a year later in 1956 and Charlie Pride had a #1 hit with it in 1983.

3)  “We’re Gonna Hold On” was written with long time friend Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery who also was the brother of,  Jones’ pre-Tammy Wynette duet partner, Melba Montgomery.  Peanutt also played rhythm guitar in George’s band known as the Jone’s Boys.  He recalled that during an argument,on the tour bus, either George or wife Tammy stated “We’re gonna have to hold on or we’re not gonna make it!”  Peanutt thought “We’re Gonna Hold On” made a great title and he and George finished it the next day.  It was producer Billy Sherrill that had the idea to hold the word “hold” out for a little longer and add the Tammy style vocal turn on “oh-old on”.  George and Peanutt had originally wrote “hold on” as two equal shorter notes.  After recording three albums together, “We’re Gonna Hold On” was country music’s first couple’s first #1 hit in 1971.  The song was almost an answer to the rumors that circulated about George and Tammy’s troubled marriage.  George later admitted that they chose songs that played up on their fan’s fascination with their relationship.