George Jones' '80s Hit Voted Greatest Country Song of All Time

The Grand Ole Opry marks 100 years by crowning Jones' classic as the top country song, as chosen by fans.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In honor of the Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary, fans voted over the course of 12 months to determine the greatest country song of all time. After tallying the votes, George Jones' 1980 hit "He Stopped Loving Her Today" was crowned the winner, beating out other classic country songs from across the decades.

Why it matters

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history and has launched the careers of countless country music legends. Its selection of George Jones' iconic ballad as the greatest country song of all time, as voted by its devoted fanbase, solidifies the track's status as a true country music classic.

The details

Dolly Parton, a country music legend in her own right, praised "He Stopped Loving Her Today" as "the country classic of all time," noting its emotional impact and Jones' unparalleled ability to convey the song's poignant story. The Opry's 100th anniversary celebration featured fan-voted selections spanning the history of country music, with standout picks including The Carter Family's "Can the Circle Be Unbroken," Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and more recent hits like Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me."

  • The Grand Ole Opry marked its 100th anniversary in 2025.
  • Fans voted over the course of 12 months to determine the greatest country song of all time.

The players

George Jones

A legendary country music singer known for his powerful ballads, including the 1980 hit "He Stopped Loving Her Today" that was voted the greatest country song of all time by Grand Ole Opry fans.

Dolly Parton

A renowned country music icon who praised "He Stopped Loving Her Today" as "the country classic of all time" and the singer George Jones as her "favorite country singer in the world."

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What they’re saying

“To me, that song is so well written, but it touches every cell in your body, in your heart. It's just like he stopped loving her today, they hung that wreath upon the door.”

— Dolly Parton (Far Out magazine)

“He was never going to stop loving her in his lifetime. He had to die. It is so beautiful and, of course, George Jones is my favorite country singer in the world — always was, always will be. Nobody can tell that story like he did.”

— Dolly Parton (Far Out magazine)

What’s next

The Grand Ole Opry plans to release a special "Full Circle Mix" of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" featuring George Jones and Alan Jackson on its upcoming album "Opry 100: Country's Greatest Songs" to commemorate the song's historic ranking.

The takeaway

The Grand Ole Opry's selection of George Jones' iconic 1980 ballad "He Stopped Loving Her Today" as the greatest country song of all time, as voted by its devoted fanbase, solidifies the track's status as a true country music classic that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with listeners decades later.