Hubbry Logo
A Good Year for the RosesA Good Year for the RosesMain
Open search
A Good Year for the Roses
Community hub
A Good Year for the Roses
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
A Good Year for the Roses
A Good Year for the Roses
A Good Year for the Roses
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
"A Good Year for the Roses"
Single by George Jones
from the album George Jones with Love
B-side"Let a Little Loving Come In"
ReleasedOctober 1970
GenreCountry
Length3:12
LabelMusicor
SongwriterJerry Chesnut
ProducerBob Moore
George Jones singles chronology
"Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong"
(1970) 		"A Good Year for the Roses"
(1970) 		"Sometimes You Just Can't Win"
(1971)
"Good Year for the Roses"
Single by Elvis Costello and the Attractions
from the album Almost Blue
B-side"Your Angel Steps Out Of Heaven"
ReleasedSeptember 1981
StudioCBS Studio A (Nashville, Tennessee)
GenreCountry, urban cowboy
Length3:08
LabelF-Beat/WEA and Columbia
SongwriterJerry Chesnut
ProducerBilly Sherrill
Elvis Costello singles chronology
"From a Whisper to a Scream"
(1981) 		"Good Year for the Roses"
(1981) 		"Sweet Dreams"
(1981)
"A Good Year for the Roses"
Single by George Jones featuring Alan Jackson
from the album The Bradley Barn Sessions
B-side"High-Tech Redneck"
ReleasedNovember 1994
GenreCountry
Length3:38
LabelMCA Nashville
SongwriterJerry Chesnut
ProducerBrian Ahern
George Jones singles chronology
"Never Bit a Bullet Like This"
(1994) 		"A Good Year for the Roses"
(1994) 		"One"
(1995)
Alan Jackson singles chronology
"Livin' on Love"
(1994) 		"A Good Year for the Roses"
(1994) 		"Gone Country"
(1994)

"A Good Year for the Roses" is a ballad written by Jerry Chesnut and originally recorded by American country singer George Jones. It rose to #2 on the country singles chart in 1970.

Background

[edit]

"A Good Year for the Roses" describes the thoughts of a man as his wife leaves him, and is as good an example as any of Jones' ability to deliver an intensely moving vocal, in this case one that conveys both the sadness and profound bitterness that comes with a broken marriage. Although recorded while George was with Musicor, the production is typical of the sound Billy Sherrill would employ when Jones moved to Epic Records the following year.[citation needed] Although supported by a choir of background singers and strings on the chorus, Jones' vocal is the centerpiece throughout, with Chris Woodstra of AllMusic calling it "one of his all-time greatest performances."[1] The lyric, infused by Jones' nuanced delivery, captures the disillusion of the narrator.

Jones recorded two versions of the song; the second can be heard on the A Good Year for the Roses: The Complete Musicor Recordings 1965-1971. Jones also cut the song with Alan Jackson as a duet in 1994 for the Bradley Barn Sessions, but was disappointed with its reception by country radio, noting in his autobiography, "Alan was white-hot on the radio, and programmers wanted his voice. But some didn't want his if they had to take mine. The vast majority of Alan's other single records have gone to number one. His duet with me was his first not to crack the top 50."[2] It actually peaked at number 57. In June 1995, the song won the Music City News Country Awards "Vocal Collaboration of the Year."[citation needed]

Other notable recordings

[edit]

Elvis Costello scored a No. 6 hit in the UK Singles Chart with the song in 1981.[3]

Video

[edit]

The video for the Elvis Costello version of the song was shot at The Meldrum House Hotel, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire on Wednesday 29th July 1981. The band were in the north east of Scotland to appear at the Aberdeen Country and Western Club on the 30th July, with the performance to be filmed by London Weekend Television.[4]

Chart performance

[edit]

George Jones version

[edit]
Chart (1970–1971) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] 4
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[6] 12
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard) 2

Elvis Costello version

[edit]
Chart (1981–1982) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 34
Belgium (Flanders)[8] 25
Netherlands[9] 11
UK Singles Chart[3] 6

George Jones and Alan Jackson version

[edit]
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] 65
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 56

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

A Good Year for the Roses

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"A Good Year for the Roses" is a poignant country ballad written by Nashville songwriter Jerry Chesnut and first recorded by American country music legend George Jones in 1970 as the title track of his album George Jones with Love. The song narrates the quiet devastation of a failing marriage through everyday remnants like lipstick-stained cigarettes and an untouched bottle of gin, capturing themes of loneliness and resignation. Chesnut drew inspiration from a casual conversation with a friend about the ironies of divorce, where the phrase "a good year for the roses" emerged as a metaphor for neglected personal life amid blooming nature. Jones's version, produced with a classic countrypolitan sound, propelled the single to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and helped the album reach No. 9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The track's enduring appeal led to numerous covers, broadening its reach beyond . In , Elvis Costello and recorded a faithful yet atmospheric rendition for Costello's Almost Blue, which peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and introduced the song to rock and pop audiences. Other notable versions include a 1994 duet by Jones and from the album The Bradley Barn Sessions, which charted at No. 56 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Its lyrical depth and emotional resonance have cemented "A Good Year for the Roses" as a standard in American songwriting, often cited for bridging traditional country with wider musical influences.

Background

Songwriting

, a native who moved to Nashville in the mid-1960s after serving in the , emerged as one of the most prolific and versatile country songwriters of the era during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Drawing from his blue-collar roots and keen observations of everyday struggles, including marital discord prevalent in working-class families at the time, Chesnut crafted songs that captured raw emotional truths. By the late 1960s, he had established himself as an independent hitmaker, writing hits like "Weakness in a Man" for Roy Clark while building a reputation for poignant, narrative-driven ballads. The inspiration for "A Good Year for the Roses" stemmed from Chesnut's personal observations of relational strain in the late , symbolized through an incident with his Hybrid Tea Roses at his home. After a wet spring caused the roses to wilt despite ideal conditions, Chesnut visited a garden center where an employee explained the , sparking the central of thriving nature contrasting with human failure. In 1969, while living on a 117-acre farm near Joelton, , he composed the song in the early morning hours, envisioning a scenario of quiet resignation to a failing amid domestic chaos—a departing , a crying baby, and a dead —using the roses to represent emotional decay in an otherwise bountiful year. Structured as a ballad in verse-chorus form, the employ vivid of mundane domestic routines—like locking the five o'clock door and watching the late news—juxtaposed against the partner's abrupt departure, heightening the theme of subdued heartbreak.

Original recording and release

The original recording of "A Good Year for the Roses" took place during a session on February 26, 1970, at Columbia Recording Studio B in . Produced by Bob Moore, the track featured a core group of elite Nashville session players, including drummer , pedal steel guitarist , guitarists Kelso Herston and Chip Young, bassist Bob Moore, pianist Bill Pursell, and backing vocals provided by . Jones approached the vocal performance with an emotive yet understated delivery, highlighting the song's themes of quiet resignation and emotional fragility in a way that contrasted with his earlier, more exuberant style. The single was released in October 1970 by Musicor Records under catalog number MU 1425, with "Let a Little Loving Come In" as the B-side. It appeared on Jones's 1971 George Jones with Love. Promotion for the release drew on the authenticity of Jones's performance, amplified by his well-documented personal challenges, including battles with and the strains in his marriage to , which mirrored the track's depiction of domestic discord.

Notable recordings

George Jones version

George Jones released "A Good Year for the Roses" as a single in November 1970 from his album George Jones with Love on Musicor Records. The track quickly climbed the s, peaking at number 2 on the Hot Country Singles in early 1971 and spending a significant portion of late 1970 and early 1971 in the top 10. In addition to its strong country performance, the single crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 112 on the , highlighting Jones' broad appeal during this era. The song's success underscored Jones' dominant run in music, as he amassed multiple top 10 hits throughout the early , solidifying his status as a leading figure in the genre. It also peaked at number 4 on the RPM Country Tracks chart. Over the decades, "A Good Year for the Roses" has endured as a classic in country radio rotations, often cited among Jones' signature recordings that defined his prolific hit-making period in the 1970s.

Elvis Costello version

Elvis Costello's cover of "A Good Year for the Roses," released as the lead single from his 1981 album Almost Blue, achieved significant commercial success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1981. This marked one of Costello's highest-charting singles in his home country at the time and highlighted his venture into country music covers, drawing attention to his interpretive skills in the genre. In the United States, the single received moderate airplay but did not enter the ; however, it contributed to the album reaching its peak position of number 50 on the chart in late 1981. The track's release underscored Costello's exploration of country crossover, positioning it as a pivotal moment in broadening his audience beyond punk and new wave roots toward American roots music traditions. Internationally, the single saw limited but notable traction, peaking in the top 10 in the , though it did not replicate the UK breakthrough elsewhere. By the , the recording experienced a resurgence in digital streaming, reflecting enduring interest in Costello's country-infused catalog.

George Jones and Alan Jackson version

The and duet version of "A Good Year for the Roses" was recorded in 1994 for Jones' collaborative album The Bradley Barn Sessions, a project that reimagined his classic hits with guest artists to revitalize his career in the modern country landscape. Produced by Brian Ahern at the historic Bradley's Barn studio in , the track features Jones' signature emotive lead vocals complemented by Jackson's harmonious baritone, creating a seamless blend that honored the song's melancholic of marital dissolution. Released as the album's lead single on in October 1994, the duet underscored Jackson's admiration for Jones as a foundational influence in country music. On the charts, the single reached a peak of number 56 on the chart in early 1995 and crossed over to number 65 on the Hot 100. Despite its modest commercial showing amid the dominant young male soloists of mid-1990s , the recording gained traction through on format stations, benefiting from the duet's intergenerational appeal and promotion via the album's lineup. The synergy extended to the parent album, The Bradley Barn Sessions, which climbed to number 23 on the chart but did not enter the top 100 on the 200. In the years following Jones' death in 2013, the duet experienced a revival through tributes, including performances at events and inclusion in streaming playlists, which boosted digital consumption and reaffirmed its status as a staple of 1990s programming.

Other covers

The song has inspired numerous covers across , folk, and indie genres, with SecondHandSongs documenting 40 recorded versions as of 2025. These interpretations often appear in albums honoring , reflecting the track's enduring appeal in honoring songwriting. Johnny Paycheck's version, featured on his 1977 album Take This Job and , embodies a raw style aligned with his image. Unique adaptations highlight the song's adaptability. While no major chart-topping covers have surfaced since the 1994 George Jones and Alan Jackson duet, the track has experienced streaming revivals in the 2020s, frequently appearing in curated playlists and inspiring fresh recordings like those by Tim Knol & The Blue Grass Boogiemen in 2020 and Staci Griesbach on her 2021 George Jones tribute album My George Jones Songbook.

Chart performance

George Jones version

George Jones released "A Good Year for the Roses" as a single in November 1970 from his George Jones with Love on Musicor Records. The track quickly climbed the charts, peaking at number 2 on the Hot Country Singles chart in early 1971 and spending a significant portion of late 1970 and early 1971 in the top 10. In addition to its strong country performance, the single crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 112 on the , highlighting Jones' broad appeal during this era. The song's success underscored Jones' dominant run in music, as he amassed multiple top 10 hits throughout the early , solidifying his status as a leading figure in the genre. Internationally, the single received moderate airplay in but did not achieve a major chart position. Over the decades, "A Good Year for the Roses" has endured as a classic in radio rotations, often cited among Jones' signature recordings that defined his prolific hit-making period in the .

Elvis Costello version

Elvis Costello's cover of "A Good Year for the Roses," released as the lead single from his 1981 album Almost Blue, achieved significant commercial success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1981. It also reached number 2 on the Irish Singles Chart. This marked one of Costello's highest-charting singles in his home country at the time and highlighted his venture into country music covers, drawing attention to his interpretive skills in the genre. In the United States, the single received moderate airplay but did not enter the ; however, it contributed to the album reaching its peak position of number 50 on the chart in late 1981. The track's release underscored Costello's exploration of country crossover, positioning it as a pivotal moment in broadening his audience beyond punk and new wave roots toward American roots music traditions. Internationally, the single saw limited but notable traction, entering the top 20 in select European markets such as during its initial run, though it did not replicate the breakthrough elsewhere. By the , the recording experienced a resurgence in digital streaming, reflecting enduring interest in Costello's country-infused catalog.

George Jones and Alan Jackson version

The and duet version of "A Good Year for the Roses" was recorded in 1994 for Jones' collaborative album The Bradley Barn Sessions, a project that reimagined his classic hits with guest artists to revitalize his career in the modern country landscape. Produced by Brian Ahern at the historic Bradley's Barn studio in , the track features Jones' signature emotive lead vocals complemented by Jackson's harmonious baritone, creating a seamless blend that honored the song's melancholic narrative of marital dissolution. Released as the album's lead single on in October 1994, the duet underscored Jackson's admiration for Jones as a foundational influence in country . On the charts, the single reached a peak of number 56 on the chart in early 1995, spending 12 weeks on the chart. Despite its modest commercial showing amid the dominant young male soloists of mid-1990s , the recording gained traction through airplay on format stations, benefiting from the duet's intergenerational appeal and promotion via the album's all-star lineup. The synergy extended to the parent album, The Bradley Barn Sessions, which climbed to number 23 on the chart and eventually earning RIAA gold certification for 500,000 units shipped. In the years following Jones' death in 2013, the experienced a revival through tributes, including performances at memorial and inclusion in streaming playlists, which boosted digital consumption and reaffirmed its status as a staple of 1990s programming.

Media appearances

Music videos

The original recording by did not have an official promotional upon its 1970 release, as such formats were not yet common in . However, archival live footage of Jones performing the from a 1971 appearance on the television program Navy Hoedown has been digitized and made available online, capturing his raw, emotive delivery in a simple stage setting. Elvis Costello's 1981 cover featured a promotional video directed by Peter Carr, filmed at Meldrum House in the day before a concert in , where Costello appears in a dimly lit, intimate bar-like environment to evoke the song's themes of loneliness and domestic discord. The video aired on early rotations and contributed to the single's chart success, later included in Costello's 2005 DVD compilation The Right Spectacle: The Very Best of Elvis Costello – The Videos. As of 2025, it remains accessible on streaming platforms and reissues of the Almost Blue album, such as deluxe editions from Rhino Records. The 1994 duet version by and , recorded during sessions for The Bradley Barn Sessions album, has an official directed by Gerry Wenner, depicting the pair in a rustic barn interior that mirrors the album's acoustic, back-to-basics production style. Released to promote the single, the video highlights their harmonious interplay and has garnered over 9.6 million views on as of 2025. It is available on streaming services and compilations like Jones's The Essential George Jones.

Live performances and tributes

made "A Good Year for the Roses" a staple of his live from the through the , often delivering emotionally charged renditions that highlighted his expressive vocal style during concerts and television appearances. An early documented performance occurred on the 1971 Navy Hoedown , where Jones showcased the song shortly after its studio release. The track reached a poignant milestone in his career during the 2013 , his farewell series of shows that celebrated his hits and drew large crowds before his retirement from touring. Elvis Costello incorporated the song into his live sets starting with the 1981 Almost Blue tour, where it appeared in multiple concerts, including a New Year's Eve show at The Palladium in New York. He revived it in various formats during the and , such as an Imposters-backed version at the and an acoustic collaboration with at the 2015 Chastain Amphitheater in . Costello has performed it over 80 times across his tours, underscoring its place in his country-infused repertoire. Following ' death in 2013, the song featured prominently in tributes honoring his legacy. At a star-studded at Nashville's in November 2013, Larry Gatlin delivered a live rendition as part of a lineup celebrating Jones' hits. , who had previously duetted with Jones on the track, performed a solo version live in , in March 2023, evoking the emotional depth of their collaboration. In recent years, emerging artists have kept the song alive through live covers, including country newcomer Zach Top's heartfelt interpretation in early 2025, reflecting its ongoing influence on new generations.

References

  1. https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/story-behind-the-song/2014/07/25/story-behind-song-good-year-roses/13154325/
  2. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/george-jones/a-good-year-for-the-roses
  3. https://www.billboard.com/lists/george-jones-20-biggest-billboard-hits/
  4. https://www.billboard.com/artist/george-jones/chart-history/clp/
  5. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/elvis-costello-a-good-year-for-the-roses/
  6. https://www.countryuniverse.net/2012/07/28/retro-single-review-george-jones-alan-jackson-a-good-year-for-the-roses/
  7. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/27829/all
  8. https://alancackett.com/jerry-chesnut-obituary
  9. https://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/Site/inductee?entry_id=1566
  10. http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2017/03/george-jones-part-1.html
  11. https://countrymusichalloffame.org/exhibit/dylan-cash-and-the-nashville-cats-a-new-music-city/the-nashville-cats/dylan-cash-and-the-nashville-cats-a-new-music-city-the-nashville-cats-kenny-buttrey/
  12. https://www.discogs.com/master/969318-George-Jones-A-Good-Year-For-The-Roses
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/album/george-jones-with-love-mw0000315495
  14. https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/artist/george-jones
  15. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=A+Good+Year+for+the+Roses+by+George+Jones&id=100059
  16. https://www.spin.com/2022/01/elvis-costello-albums-ranked/
  17. https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1981-11-28/
  18. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/elvis-costello-goes-country/
  19. https://open.spotify.com/track/4RZCoFsZHw9XvDZdv2jtkK
  20. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ask-billboard-remakes-and-one-hit-wonders-269047/
  21. https://americansongwriter.com/the-country-music-hall-of-fame-new-free-exhibit-celebrates-george-jones-album-the-bradley-barn-sessions/
  22. https://www.billboard.com/music/country/george-jones-tribute-concert-review-garth-brooks-miranda-lambert-megadeth-5800681/
  23. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/27828/all
  24. https://music.apple.com/us/album/take-this-job-and-shove-it/379424712
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfnlOus4vs
  26. https://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?fuzzy=Good+Year+for+the+Roses+Elvis+Costello
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj0TBzBeCmg
  28. https://elviscostello.com/liner_notes/almost-blue/
  29. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/costello-commentary-spiffs-dvd-retrospective-61788/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29932087/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m9BObgOcng
  32. https://georgejonesofficial.com/about/
  33. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/elvis-costello-and-the-attractions/1981/the-palladium-new-york-ny-2bda70aa.html
  34. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/elvis-costello-and-the-imposters/2005/worthy-farm-pilton-england-1bd1f120.html
  35. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/elvis-costello-and-the-imposters/2015/chastain-park-amphitheater-atlanta-ga-5bf7b3c4.html
  36. https://guestpectacular.com/artists/elvis-costello/events/28292/song/a-good-year-for-the-roses
  37. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/11/23/george-jones-tribute-concert/3684551/
  38. https://musicrow.com/2013/11/george-jones-music-and-legacy-celebrated-in-nashville/
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgeMg6kWS0o
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.