A companion piece to his best-selling autobiography of the same name, I Lived to Tell It All is a surprising return to form by George Jones. Where The Bradley Barn Sessions tried to be an authentic release in the vein of a Hightone record and where High-Tech Redneck was clueless in its calculation, I Lived to Tell It All is an effortless encapsulation of Jones' gifts. There are honky tonk raveups, there are heart-tugging barroom weepers, and, best of all, there are several novelties that rank among the most clever and self-deprecating that Jones has ever recorded. Those that were seeking the pseudo-gritty production of The Bradley Barn Session may be discouraged by the slicker sound of I Lived to Tell It All, but there's no denying that Jones sounds recharged and energetic; he's getting a genuine kick singing these songs, which are all loosely auto-biographical. In terms of content and performance, it's his best record since I Am What I Am.

GEORGE JONES
I LIVED TO TELL IT ALL
(MCA 11478)
August 13/1996
Produced by Buddy Cannon & Norro Wilson

Pete Wade, Danny Parks - el.guitar
Don Potter - ac.guitar
Harold Bradley - tic-tac guitar
John Hughey - steel
Paul Franklin - dobro
Roy Huskey - bass
Paul Leim - drums
Hargus Pig Robbins - piano
Mike Lawler, Rodger Morris - keyboards
Glen Duncan - fiddle
Terry McMillan - harmonica
Farrell Morris - percussion
Gary Gazaway - trumpets
Vocals:
Jim Chapman, Marabeth Jordan, Jana King, Millie Kirkham, Larry Sparks, Louis Nunley,
Julie Reeves, Curtis Yooung, Dennis Wilson, Bergen White
Recorded May/1996:
Javelina Studio, Nashville
Music Mill, Nashville
Woodland Studios, Nashville

1.
HONKY TONK SONG
(Frank J. Meyers - Billy Yates)
« © '96 Sixteen Stars Music, BMI / Billy Do Music, BMI »

I saw those blue lights flashin' over my left shoulder
He walked right up and said get off that riding mower
I said sir let me explain before you put me in the tank
She took my keys away and now she won't drive me to drink
I need a honky tonk song a cold cold beer
A hardwood floor a smoky atmosphere
A pocket full of change to last me all night long
I gotta hear old Hank a moanin' a honky tonk song
[ guitar ] He didn't show me much compassion when I tried to walk that line
As he put those handcuffs on me I said give me one more try
He never even cracked a smile when he threw me in the car
So I said sir if you don't mind oh would you drop me off in a bar
I need a honky tonk song...
I gotta hear old Hank a moanin' a honky tonk song
**********

2.

BACK DOWN TO HUNG UP ON YOU
(Larry Butler - Dean Dillon)
« © '84 Careers Music, BMI »

Oh I've come to the point where I've had one too many
And one short of having too few
Oh my bottle of freedom is one drink from empty
And I'm back down to hung up on you
I come here to escape and some say too often
But not as much as I would like to
Cause as high as I get is how low I'll be fallin'
Oh back down to hung up on you
Feeling nothing at all for awhile sure feels better
Than the hurtin' you're puttin' me through
But as sure as I am of the sunrise tomorrow
I'll be back down to hung up on you
[ steel ] Feeling nothing at all...
Yes as sure as I am of the sunrise tomorrow
I'll be back down to hung up on you
**********

3.

BILLY B. BAD
(Bobby Braddock)
« © '94 Tree Publishing, BMI »

Down in Texas near the DFW among the shrubs and patios and barbecues
Was born a suburban boy named Billy B Bad
Had a white bread momma and a rock and roll dad
Didn't have much soul or country roots but he sure looked cute in his cowboy suit
B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad
B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad
B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad
He can spot a trend and he knows a pad he's a country singer named Billy B Bad
[ fiddle ] He sounds like everybody on the radio he's building up his biceps for the video
The people at the label said we like to start 'em young
We know you're twenty three but we'll say you're twenty one
They played him some Strait they played him some Jones
Now he's got that country music way down in his bones
B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad...
Watch out for your daughters he's gonna drive 'em mad
The country sex symbol called Billy B Bad
[ piano - guitar ] Now poor ol' Billy's at the end of the line
He's over the hill cause he's pushing twenty nine
He's not as young and he's not as handsome he just tested positive for brandson
He'll never be that hot again look for his music in the oldies bin
B-B-B-B-Billy Billy B Bad...
What a great career he had say goodbye to Billy B Bad
**********

4.

HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES
(Keith Stegall - Zack Turner)
« © '96 Cayman Moon Music, BMI / Coburn Music, BMI / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, BMI »

Love on the rocks that's all he said
As he sat there beside me shaking his head
I said Mister you look like you're taking it rough
The next round's on me he said I don't touch the stuff
Cause these hundred proof mem'ries are stronger than wine
It don't take but one taste to send you out of your mind
No I don't want the whiskey but I could sure use a ride
Cause with hundred proof mem'ries Lord you don't think and drive
[ guitar - steel ] He said I quit drinkin' the day that she left
I come here out of habit in spite of myself
But there ain't no liquor that money can buy
That's stronger than what's bottled up inside
Cause these hundred proof mem'ries...
No I don't want the whiskey...
**********

5.

IT AIN'T GONNA WORRY MY MIND
(Richard Leigh)
« © '83 April Music, ASCAP / Lion Hearted Music, ASCAP »

Same old story they all hand me preacher tells me these are troubled times
But I know the Lord's been in tougher scrapes than this one
It ain't gonna worry it ain't gonna worry no it ain't gonna worry my mind
Got no money in my pocket you don't get rich working overtime
But as long as you can't buy the springtime in Virginia
It ain't gonna worry it ain't gonna worry me no it ain't gonna worry my mind
Love is all that ever made you richer if the truth be told
Moonlight's been my only silver the sun my only gold
Go on wishing go on praying go on saying I'll hit bitter times
But how in the world could she love me any better
Lord it ain't gonna worry it ain't gonna worry Lord no it ain't gonna worry my mind
**********

6.

LONE RANGER
(Gerald Smith - Billy Yates - John Northrup)
« © '96 O-Tex Music, BMI / So Bizzy Music, BMI / Songs Of Universal, BMI »

I'm tired of sittin' home sick of bein' all alone thought I'd just go for a drive
I's headed downtown when I did me a turnaround when I saw the neon sign
Happy hour two for one sounded like a lot of fun so I stopped and went inside
The next thing that I knew I was sittin' on a barstool havin' the time of my life
Well I had more silver bullets last night than the Lone Ranger
I was shootin' 'em down like I didn't have a care ignorin' all the danger
Bless my soul this morning I awoke in the arms of a perfect stranger
I had more silver bullets last night than the Lone Ranger
[ guitar ] Did I fail to mention it wasn't my intention to stay out all night long
I was gonna have a few but one round led to two next thing I knew I was gone
Well here's where I draw a blank the band was playin' Hank
She rode in to save the day
And all I remember was kisses sweet and tender and hi yo silver away
Well I had more silver bullets...
Well I had more silver bullets...
I had more silver bullets last night than the Lone Ranger
**********

7.

TIED TO A STONE
(Max D. Barnes)
« © '95 Irving Music, BMI / Hardscratch Music, BMI »

I woke up this morning and prayed to God oh let this be a dream
Her side of the bed was cold and laying there beside me was her ring
With a note that she had left for me laying where she used to lay her head
And I felt the world fall in on me for this is what she said
Tied to a stone ain't no way to live I can't go on living like this
I'd rather be lonely and face life alone
Than to go on this way day after day tied to a stone

I always thought I gave her everything that any girl could want
The diamonds on her fingers a new car and a big two-story home
Oh home became a prison and lookin' back now I can see it all
Oh I'd give the world if I could change the things that made her climb that wall
She said tied to a stone...
I'd rather be lonely...
**********

8.

I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO DRINK ABOUT
(Hank Cochran - Mack Vickery - Jerry Leseter)
« © '96 Co-Heart Music, BMI / Songs Of The Knoll, BMI / Hope'n Cal Music, BMI »

I stumbled in this morning completely out of my mind
Down to my last warning down to my last line
But before I got one word out she unloaded on me
Said if that bottle is all that important then I've got just what you need
I'll give you something to drink about when I start doing what I've done without
You think that you've got some problems now wait till I get out of this house
I'm gonna leave you with this memory it'll be here just to drive you to drink
Now you'll have yourself a good excuse to pour down that juice
I'll give you something to drink about
[ guitar - trumpet ] She's only been gone two hours but I'm not here alone
Her mem'ry's all ewary moving in and making itself at home
And I'm already a reaching for what drove her away
From somewhere over in the corner I heard her memory say
I'll give you something to drink about...
You'll have a good excuse to pour down that juice
I'll give you something to drink about
**********

9.

I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING BAD
(Red Lane)
« © '78 Tree Publishing, BMI »

I must have done something bad sometime in my life
And I paid for it time and again
But this time you've hurt me so bad I could lay down and die
And the pain grows each day ten times ten times ten
If I thought my hand was against you why I'd cut off my arm
And I'd walk off and leave it behind
If I thought that you needed money why I'd sell my own soul
And I'd even steal from the poor and the blind
[ fiddle ] I can't understand how ice can glitter like fire
Why you had me fooled all alone
I gave you all that I had then I searched around for more
And now I've got nothing at all and you're gone
I must have done something bad sometime in my life
And I paid for it time and again and again
**********

10.

HELLO HEART
(Melba Montgomery - Billy Yates)
« © '96 Caroljac Music, BMI / So Bizzy Music, BMI / Songs Of Universal, BMI »

Hello heart well I'm glad you came a knockin'
Oh I can see that pretty little honey's got you back a rockin'
Well ain't you somethin' now you got me a jumpin'
Oh where you been good to see you again hello heart

Well I know it's been a long time since the huggin' and a kissin'
And I'd nearly forgot just what we'd been a missin'
Now it's good to be together oh it never felt better
You gave me a scare I thought you were gone forever
Hello heart...
[ guitar ] You say you did a lotta hurtin' and you took a lotta achin'
But you never told me how close you came to breakin'
Now it's time for some healin' she knows how we're feelin'
Her lovin' is enough to give us both what we're needin'
Hello heart...
Where you been good to see you again hello heart
**********

George Jones Discography