About the song
A Countrypolitan Classic: George Jones’s “She Hung the Moon”
In the annals of country music, few artists have achieved the legendary status of George Jones. With his hauntingly emotive vocals and a career spanning over six decades, Jones left an indelible mark on the genre, earning him the moniker “No Show Jones” for his reputation for canceling performances due to inebriation. Yet, despite his struggles with personal demons, Jones’s music transcended his troubles, resonating with audiences worldwide for its raw honesty and heartfelt expression. Among his vast repertoire of country classics, “She Hung the Moon” stands as a timeless ballad that encapsulates the essence of Jones’s artistry.
Released in 1983 as the title track of Jones’s album Shine On, “She Hung the Moon” is a poignant ode to unrequited love and the power of idealized affection. The song’s narrator, deeply enamored with a woman he places on a pedestal, paints vivid imagery of her celestial beauty and unwavering adoration. The lyrics, penned by renowned songwriters Bobby Braddock and Troy Seals, capture the universality of unrequited love, where the object of affection is elevated to an almost mythical status.
Jones’s delivery of “She Hung the Moon” is nothing short of masterful. His voice, imbued with a world-weariness that belies his age, perfectly conveys the depth of the narrator’s longing and the bittersweet acceptance of his unrequited love. The song’s melody, a gentle waltz tempo punctuated by steel guitar accents, further underscores the emotional weight of the lyrics.
“She Hung the Moon” became an instant hit upon its release, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and earning Jones a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The song’s enduring popularity has cemented its place as a country music staple, covered by numerous artists across genres, including pop and rock.
Beyond its commercial success, “She Hung the Moon” stands as a testament to George Jones’s artistry. It is a song that captures the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition, delivered with an authenticity that resonates with listeners of all ages. As Jones himself once remarked, “If I could write a song that would make people cry, I’d be the happiest man in the world.” With “She Hung the Moon,” he undoubtedly achieved that goal, leaving behind a legacy that continues to touch hearts and inspire generations of music lovers.
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Lyrics
“She Hung The Moon”
You think that I think she’s perfect
And she can do no wrong
Well, that’s partly true, I don’t think I do
But I’ve loved her for so longI think she hung the moon upside down
And I think she’s perfect at turning my world around
And if your heart, it needs breaking
She’s the best I’ve ever found
She hung the moon but she hung it upside downThey say I put her up there
On a pedestal so tall
Well, I’ll hang around down here on the ground
Just to catch her in case she fallsI think she hung the moon upside down
I think she’s perfect at turning my world around
And if your heart, it needs breaking
She’s the best I’ve ever found
She hung the moon but she hung it upside down