George Jones – The Grand Tour

About the song

“The Grand Tour” is a timeless country music classic that has captivated listeners for decades. Released in 1974, the song was the title track to George Jones’ album of the same name and marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The song’s success was nothing short of phenomenal, reaching number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and becoming the fourth-biggest hit of the year. In 2014, Rolling Stone named “The Grand Tour” number 38 on its list of the “40 Saddest Country Songs of All Time,” a testament to the song’s enduring emotional impact.

The song’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its masterful composition and Jones’ poignant performance. The lyrics, penned by Norro Wilson, paint a vivid picture of a man’s emotional journey as he takes a tour of his former home, reflecting on fond memories and the pain of his wife’s departure. The song’s graphic imagery allows listeners to visualize the abandoned home and the narrator’s inner turmoil, making it a deeply relatable and hauntingly beautiful listen.

The song’s success was not limited to its chart performance. It also marked a turning point in Jones’ career, as it was the first number one hit he had scored since 1967. The song’s impact was also felt by producer Billy Sherrill, who credited “The Grand Tour” as the “eureka moment” that helped him develop his signature production style. The song’s legacy continues to be celebrated by country music fans and critics alike, solidifying its place as one of the greatest country songs of all time.

Video

Lyrics

Step right up, come on in
If you’d like to take the grand tour
Of a lonely house that once was home sweet home
I have nothing here to sell you
Just some things that I will tell you
Some things I know will chill you to the bond

Over there, sits the chair
Where she’d bring the paper to me
And sit down on my knee
And whisper, “oh, I love you”
But now she’s gone forever
And this old house will never
Be the same without the love
That we once knew

Straight ahead, that’s the bed
Where we’d lay in love together
And Lord knows we had a good thing going here
See her picture on the table
Don’t it look like she’d be able
Just to touch me and say good morning dear

There’s her rings, all her things
And her clothes are in the closet
Like she left them
When she tore my world apart

As you leave you’ll see the nursery
Oh, she left me without mercy
Taking nothing but
Our baby and my heart

Step right up, come on in