Things Have Gone to Pieces

George Jones, Gene Pitney

About Things Have Gone to Pieces

"Things Have Gone to Pieces" is a song written by Leon Payne and originally recorded by country music artist George Jones. It was Jones' first single after signing with the Musicor label and spent a total of twenty-one weeks on the Billboard survey, peaking at #9 in 1965. It was a solo that Jones released on his 1965 album with Gene Pitney, For the First Time! Two Great Stars - George Jones and Gene Pitney. The song lists a litany of negative events that have befallen the narrator since his lover has left him. Despite its comically melodramatic premise, Jones delivers one of his most bluesy, soulful vocals that give the words resonance. In his 2016 Jones memoir The Grand Tour, biographer Rich Kienzle asserts, "George's peerless approach elevated this simple ballad to a masterpiece that became his first solo hit on Musicor in the spring of 1965. Today it remains a high point of his six years with the label." Merle Haggard would record the song for the second Jones/Haggard duet album Kickin' Out the Footlights... Again in 2006. 


Year:
1965
41 

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The faucet started drippin' in the kitchen
And last night your picture fell down from the wall
Today the boss said sorry, I can't use you anymore
And tonight the light bulb went out in the hall

[Chorus]
Things have gone to pieces since you left me
Nothing turns out, half-right now it seems
There ain't nothing in my pocket,
But three nickels and a [4] dime
But I'm holding to the pieces of my dream

Somebody threw a baseball through my window
And the arm fell off my favorite chair again
The man called me today and said he'd haul my things away
If I didn't get my payments made by ten

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George Jones

George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931) is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette. more »

12 fans

Written by: LEON PAYNE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Original Artist
"Things Have Gone to Pieces" is a song that was originally recorded and made popular by the legendary country artist George Jones.
Release Date
The original version of the song by George Jones was released in January 1965.
Chart Performance
Upon its release, George Jones's version of the song quickly ascended, peaking at #9 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles.
Songwriter
The song was written by Leon Payne, an American country musician and songwriter who also penned other hits for George Jones including “Take Me" and "Blue Side of Lonesome.”
Cover Version
The song was notably covered by American pop and rock singer-songwriter Gene Pitney.
Recording Style
Pitney's version was imbued with his pop sensibilities, showing a different interpretation compared to Jones's country approach.
Song Structure
"Things Have Gone to Pieces" is a classic country song written in the A-A-B-A format, with the verse repeating before and after the chorus.
Lyrical Content
The song's lyrics revolve around despair and desolation, as the protagonist details how everything in his life has gone wrong.
Impact on Country Music
Despite its depressing theme, "Things Have Gone to Pieces" is considered a staple and an archetype for the 'heartbreak' sub-genre of country music.
Contemporary Use
Its profound emotional depth has led it to be used in a number of modern media, including several TV dramas and films, that utilize the song to convey strong feelings of sorrow and despair.
Other Covers
Apart from Gene Pitney, "Things Have Gone to Pieces" has been covered by numerous artists across genres, emphasizing its enduring appeal and impact. Some notable examples include versions by Van Morrison and Dwight Yoakam.
Album Inclusion
George Jones's version of "Things Have Gone to Pieces" appears on his 1965 album "New Country Hits".
Live Performance
The song was a crowd favorite and often included in the live performance repertoire of both George Jones and Gene Pitney.

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