There are two stories regarding George Jones and She Thinks I Still Care. One story had that the country superstar didn’t like the song when he first heard it because it kept repeating the phrase “just because” too many times.
But then another account said George Jones loved it. It doesn’t matter now. We’re just glad Possum recorded the song, which is one of the true classics of country music.
George Jones sat down in a studio in Beaumont, Texas, almost six decades ago to first listen to the song. He grew up in Vidor, about 10 miles away. So Beaumont was one of his spots. Songwriter/producer Jack Clement first played the song for George Jones. It was written by the duo of Dickey Lee-Steve Duffy. Lee went on to earn a spot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also was honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
George Jones recorded the song in early January 1962, right after the holidays. The song was released in April and it spent 23 weeks on the country charts, six of them at No. 1. So this ended up being Jones’ third No. 1 hit. To help hype the song, Jones sang it in February 1962, for an episode of the Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry series.
In 1998, the Grammy Hall of Fame included the George Jones recording of the song.
So What Was George Jones Singing About?
So what’s this George Jones song about? It’s an ironic love song told by a man who doesn’t want his ex to still think he cares about her. But boy, his heart aches for her. The song is very well written.
George Jones sang:
“She thinks I still care. Just because I asked a friend about her, just because I spoke her name somewhere
Just because I rang her number by mistake today.
“She thinks I still care, just because I haunt the same old places, where the memory of her lingers everywhere.
Just because I’m not the happy guy I used to be. … She thinks I still care. But if she’s happy thinking I still need her, then let that silly notion bring her cheer.
“But how could she ever be so foolish. Oh where would she get such an idea?”
George Jones died in 2013. He was 81. So many current country stars were scheduled to perform at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival the day Jones died. Toby Keith sang She Thinks I Still Care as his tribute.
Check out this vintage clip of George Jones.
