If you are a fan of country music, you probably know the name George Strait, the “King of Country”. He has recorded more than 60 number one hits, more than any other artist in any genre of music. One of his most popular songs is “When Did You Stop Loving Me”, which was released in 1993 as the third and final single from his album Pure Country. The album was also the soundtrack to the movie of the same name, in which Strait starred as a country singer who leaves behind his fame and fortune to return to his roots.
The song “When Did You Stop Loving Me” is a heartbreaking ballad about a man who wonders when his lover stopped caring for him. He asks her to tell him the truth, even if it hurts, because he can’t stand living in doubt. He sings, “When did you stop loving me? / How long have I been a memory? / I’ve got to know for my own sanity / Tell me when did you stop loving me?”
The song was written by Donny Kees and Monty Holmes, who are both country songwriters and singers. Kees has written songs for artists like Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt and Clay Walker, while Holmes has written songs for artists like Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney and George Jones. In fact, Jones recorded his own version of “When Did You Stop Loving Me” for his 1998 album It Don’t Get Any Better Than This.
The song was a hit for Strait, reaching number six on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It also received positive reviews from critics, who praised Strait’s emotional delivery and the song’s classic country sound. The song was nominated for Best Country Song at the 36th Grammy Awards in 1994, but lost to “Passionate Kisses” by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
The song has been performed by Strait many times over the years, including at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1993, where he also won Entertainer of the Year. You can watch some of his live performances on YouTube, such as this one from the 1996 Houston Rodeo or this one from the 1993 ACM Awards.
If you love this song as much as we do, you might want to check out some of the other songs from Pure Country, such as “Heartland”, “I Cross My Heart” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends”. You can also listen to the whole album on Spotify or Apple Music.
We hope you enjoyed this introduction and history of “When Did You Stop Loving Me” by George Strait. Let us know what you think of this song in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more country music news and stories.
Video