Talk about an epic collaboration. The Grand Ole Opry just released a version of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” as part of their forthcoming OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs album, out on November 7.

The new version is a combination of Jones’ performance of the song on the Opry stage in 1993, along with Jackson singing the song at the Grand Ole Opry for Jones’ funeral in 2013.

“When George Jones passed away, his family chose the Opry House—the home of the music he loved—as the site for his funeral service,” the Grand Ole Opry shares. “On May 2, 2013, during that service, fellow Opry member Alan Jackson performed Jones’ signature song, ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’ standing on the same circle of wood where Jones had sung it for Opry audiences many times, including on June 12, 1993. Using modern technology, we’ve combined both performances into a single track.”

The Story Behind “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” was written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman.

“It’s the story of a man whose love was so strong that the only way he could get over this woman was to die,” Braddock later said (via Songfacts). “I think he was a terrible role model, a very bad role model. The man was obsessed with this woman and he never got over. He never moved on … I thought it was just an okay song. I didn’t think it was that great a song.”

Jackson was both a fan and a friend of Jones. He also considers “He Stopped Loving Her Today” as one of the greatest country songs of all time.

“‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ is as near a perfect country song as you could ever imagine,” Jackson tells Wide Open Country.  “Bobby Braddock and Curly Putnam, the story they tell along with that melody is just so sad. And then to hear George sing it – it’s just one of those magical moments when the right song finds the right voice. You just can’t imagine anybody else ever doing it, you know?”

See a track list for OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs below. Pre-order the album at Opry.com.

‘OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs’ Track Listing:

1. “Your Cheatin’ Heart” – Ashley McBryde (2024)
2. “El Paso” – Marty Robbins and Marty Stuart (1981 / 2024) (Full circle mix)
3. “Crazy” – Patsy Cline (1962)
4. “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash (1967)
5. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – Loretta Lynn (1985)
6. “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” – Darius Rucker (2021)
7. “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton (feat. Patty Loveless and Marty Stuart) (2007)
8. “The Gambler” – Don Schlitz (feat. Vince Gill) (2025)
9. “Devil Went Down to Georgia” – The Charlie Daniels Band (2015)
10. “Elvira” – The Oak Ridge Boys (1980)
11. “Tennessee Whiskey” – Luke Combs (2016)
12. “He Stopped Loving Her Today (Full Circle Mix)” – George Jones and Alan Jackson (1993 / 2013)
13. “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” – Kelsea Ballerini (2025)
14. “Forever and Ever, Amen” – Randy Travis (1989)
15. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Keith Whitley (1988)
16. “Fancy” – Reba McEntire (2017)
17. “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson (2020)
18. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” – Vince Gill (feat. Patty Loveless) (2015)
19. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood (2018)
20. “Mama Don’t Allow / Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” – Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, and Molly Tuttle (2020)