Country music legend George Jones released “The Right Left Hand” in 1987 as the second single from his album Wine Colored Roses. The song, a heartwarming ballad penned by Dennis Knutson and A.L. “Doodle” Owens, became a critical and commercial success, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. “The Right Left Hand” stands out in Jones’ vast catalog for its optimistic portrayal of love and commitment, a stark contrast to the heartache and despair that permeated many of his previous hits.
George Jones, nicknamed “The Possum” for his distinctive high tenor and yodeling ability, was already a country music icon by the time “The Right Left Hand” arrived. Renowned for his raw, emotionally charged vocals and his turbulent personal life, Jones had built a career chronicling the darker side of love and loss. Songs like “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “The Grand Tour” cemented his image as a master storyteller of country music’s more melancholic themes.
Wine Colored Roses, released in 1986, marked a turning point for Jones. After a period of personal struggles, he found renewed artistic and personal direction with producer Billy Sherrill. Sherrill, known for his polished “countrypolitan” sound, helped Jones craft a more contemporary and optimistic collection of songs. “The Right Left Hand” perfectly encapsulates this shift.
The song’s title itself is a playful subversion of expectations. While “right hand” traditionally signifies marriage and commitment, “The Right Left Hand” playfully throws convention out the window. This sets the stage for a joyous celebration of finding love, not despite past mistakes, but because of them. The song doesn’t shy away from acknowledging past troubles, but uses them as a springboard for appreciating the newfound happiness.
“The Right Left Hand” became a significant song for Jones, not just for its commercial success, but for the message it conveyed. It offered a glimpse of a man who, having weathered life’s storms, had finally found a love worth cherishing. In the context of Jones’ career, the song stands as a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of redemption, even after facing significant personal struggles.