"Lonesome For a Livin'," a Jamey Johnson collaboration from Blackberry Smoke's 2021 album You Hear Georgia, is a tribute to country legend George Jones.
The Atlanta-based Southern rock band's freshly-released official music video drives the song's meaning home through footage of Jones that's interspersed across an in-studio jam, with Johnson chipping in on guitar and vocals.
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"A few years ago we went in the studio with Jamey Johnson and George Jones and recorded a version of 'Yesterday's Wine'," reads a statement from Blackberry Smoke (as reported by Whiskey Riff). "Shortly after that, [lead singer and guitarist Charlie Starr] was so moved meeting George he wrote a somewhat autobiographical song for him called 'Lonesome For A Livin'.' As much as George loved the song and although he wanted to, he never got the chance to record it as he passed away.
"Fast forward a few years, we were with Jamey at a show together and Charlie played him this song... We decided that night we should cut it together, for George," the statement continues. "Dave Cobb loved the story, so we included it on our last album, You Hear Georgia. We miss ya possum! This one is for George!"
Blackberry Smoke recorded Willie Nelson original "Yesterday's Wine" with Johnson and Jones as a bonus track for the band's sophomore album, 2009's Little Piece of Dixie. Jones previously covered "Yesterday's Wine" in the early '80s as a duet with Merle Haggard.
"Lonesome For a Livin'" Lyrics
You might say the reason I was put on this earth
Was to pour out my heart every day
It's just what comes natural like takin' a breath
I could sing what I never could say
I put quite a few tears into quite a few beers
Yes, I've worn my soul on my sleeve
Laid out there for the whole world to see
Yeah, the blues have been my old boss man
And lovesick, it knows me by name
You could say I was lonesome for a livin'
And heartache is my claim to fame
I lived all the lyrics for better or for worse
The drinkin', the cheatin', and the lyin'
Well, I guess I walked it just how I talked it
Both eyes wide open but stone blind
I wonder how many angels
Are waitin' for me
To finally fall down on my knees
And then put me back up on my feet
Lord, the blues have been my old boss man
And lovesick, it knows me by name
You could say I was lonesome for a livin'
And heartache is my claim to fame
I miss them old friends of mine that left me behind
Seems like so many gone home
Yeah, but I still sing with 'em and I sure won't forget 'em
I live the life of an old country song
Lord, the blues have been my old boss man
And lovesick, it knows me by name
You could say I was lonesome for a livin'
And heartache is my claim to fame
Oh, and heartache is my claim to fame
