Josh Turner definitely knows how to convey even the deepest of emotions. Singing the iconic ballad “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the country music singer captivated his audience as he took them on a journey of endless love, at the same time, an unbearable heartbreak.
Fans all remained silent as Turner’s voice soared throughout the venue with overwhelming emotion and pain for the beloved man who held his lifelong wish to love his woman until the day he died. As the song was nearing its devastating end, Turner’s voice belted the final chorus as the audience met him with an uproar of applause.
“You know, she came to see him one last time. Aww, ‘n’ we all wondered if she would, and it kept runnin’ through my mind “this time, he’s over her for good.” He stopped loving her today. They placed a wreath upon his door. And soon they’ll carry him away. He stopped loving her today,” Turner sings.
An Award-Winning Song From A Legendary Singer
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” is a song originally recorded by country legend George Jones, and released in 1980 as the lead single from the album I Am What I Am. Ever since then, the song has been named in several surveys as the greatest country song of all time.
The song was his first solo No. 1 hit in six years and has been credited by Jones for reviving his flagging career, saying that “a four-decade career had been salvaged by a three-minute song.” It went on helping Jones to earn the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1980. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” also took home Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the Academy of Country Music. It also became the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year twice: in 1980 and 1981.
Josh Turner Never Stops Paying Homage To His Legendary Singers
Even though Josh Turner is a modern country singer, he often pays homage to the legendary singers that came before him. Recently, the multi-platinum-selling country music star released a new album called Country State of Mind. It covers some of the genre’s beloved classics and focuses on the song books that have most inspired Turner in his career.
The five legends who have long held a firm place in Turner’s musical journey were Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, John Anderson, and Vern Gosdin. “I’ve always said that any song you hear coming from my voice, you’re going to hear bits and pieces of those five guys,” Turner said. “They taught me how to be Josh Turner.”
According to the press release, Country State of Mind showcases Josh Turner as a “disciple of country music history, with the album spanning more than half a century of classic country music, encompassing both well-known standards and deep-catalog cuts, many of which hold deep personal meaning.”
The album also has duets with John Anderson, Kris Kristofferson, and Chris Janson. Country State of Mind is Turner’s first studio effort since his gospel collection I Serve a Savior in 2018.
But before that, let’s look back to Josh Turner’s riveting performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” five years ago. You might think there’s no one else who could do this song justice but The Possum himself, but Josh Turner made it fresh and gave us a chill with his deep voice.
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