Introduction:
Ah yes, A Good Year For The Roses, a poignant duet that brought together two country music titans: the legendary George Jones and the rising star of the 90s, Alan Jackson. Released in 1994 on The Bradley Barn Sessions, this heart-wrenching ballad perfectly captures the quiet devastation of a failing marriage.
George Jones, by 1994, was already a country music icon. His career, launched in the 1950s, was a tapestry of raw emotion, his voice a weathered instrument capable of expressing both heartache and hard-won wisdom. Nicknamed “The Possum” for his distinctive phrasing and delivery, Jones had built a reputation for his honky-tonk anthems and songs soaked in the pain of lost love. A Good Year For The Roses fit perfectly into this repertoire.
Alan Jackson, on the other hand, was a fresh voice on the country scene. Emerging in the late 80s, he brought a touch of traditionalism back to the genre, channeling influences like Jones himself. Jackson’s smooth baritone offered a stark contrast to Jones’ textured vocals, yet the two meshed beautifully in this duet.
The Bradley Barn Sessions, the album that housed A Good Year For The Roses, was a unique project. Produced by Brian Ahern, it aimed to reunite Jones with the classic, stripped-down sound of his early recordings. The album was recorded at the historic Owen Bradley studio, a place steeped in country music history. This back-to-basics approach perfectly suited the emotional weight of A Good Year For The Roses.
The song itself, written by Jerry Chesnut, is a masterpiece of country storytelling. It paints a picture of a marriage on the brink of collapse, with details so vivid they feel lived-in. The narrator, a man grappling with his wife’s departure, fixates on seemingly mundane things – the unmade bed, the lipstick on a cigarette, the neglected roses in the yard. These details become powerful symbols of a love that’s withered and died.
A Good Year For The Roses wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit, but it resonated deeply with country music fans. The song’s critical acclaim was undeniable, winning the Music City News Country Awards “Vocal Collaboration of the Year” in 1995. More importantly, it became a testament to the enduring power of a well-crafted duet. Jones and Jackson’s contrasting voices wove a tapestry of heartbreak, reminding us that sometimes, the quietest moments can be the most devastating. A Good Year For The Roses stands as a prime example of country music’s ability to capture the complexities of human emotions, a timeless ballad that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Video:
Lyrics:
“A Good Year For The Roses”
On the cigarettes there in the ashtray
Lyin’ cold the way you left them
At least your lips caressed them
While you packedAnd a lip print on a half filled cup of coffee
That you poured and didn’t drink
But at least you thought you wanted it
That’s so much more than I can say for meBut what a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin’
It’s funny, I don’t even care
And when you turned and walked away
And as the door behind you closes
The only thing I know to say
It’s been a good year for the rosesAfter three full years of marriage
It’s the first time that you
Haven’t made the bed
I guess the reason we’re not talkin’
There’s so little left to say
We haven’t said
While a million thoughts
Go runnin’ through my mind
I find I haven’t spoke a word
And from the bedroom those familiar sounds of our one baby’s cryin’
Goes unheardBut what a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
The lawn could stand another mowin’
It’s funny, I don’t even care
And when you turned and walked away
And as the door behind you closes
The only thing I know to say
It’s been a good year for the roses