We Go Together: A Duet That Defined a Troubled, Yet Timeless Romance
A testament to love’s ability to endure, even when the path is rocky.
There are certain moments in music history that become intertwined with the lives of the artists who created them, and few stories are more legendary—or more heartbreakingly real—than that of Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Their tumultuous romance was a country music soap opera played out on the grandest stage, and their music became a living chronicle of its ups and downs. The album We Go Together, released on October 18, 1971, was the joyful first chapter of this musical saga. It wasn’t a single, but a full-length album that marked a pivotal moment in both of their careers. The album itself peaked at number three on the American Billboard Top Country Albums chart, a testament to the public’s fascination with and adoration for this new “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”
The story behind this record is as compelling as any ballad. By the late 1960s, both artists were at the top of their game individually, but their personal lives were in a state of flux. Tammy Wynette was a country superstar, known for her powerful, emotional songs like “Stand by Your Man,” and was in her third marriage. George Jones, a legend in his own right, had been through two divorces and was struggling with addiction. They met and fell in love, and in 1969, they married. Their union was a dream come true for country fans everywhere, but it also presented a professional challenge. At the time, they were on different record labels, but George was so committed to being with Tammy that he broke his contract to join her at Epic Records, a move that came at a hefty financial cost. It was a risky bet, but one that paid off in spades. Producer Billy Sherrill, a key figure in Tammy’s solo success, was tasked with wrangling these two strong-willed talents into the recording studio. Sherrill famously quipped that the experience increased his “scotch intake,” as George’s spontaneous, ever-changing phrasing drove Tammy, a self-proclaimed “quick study,” a little crazy. In the end, they found a way to make it work, recording George’s vocals first, and then having Tammy lay down her parts. The result was a sound that was pure magic. Their voices, a perfect blend of heartache and hope, resonated with an authenticity that no fabricated duo could ever replicate.
The album We Go Together is a celebration of that early, giddy love. It’s filled with songs that feel like a honeymoon, reflecting the joy and newness of their life together. It was a fairy tale, and fans bought into it completely. Tammy and George composed two of the songs on the album, “It’s So Sweet” and “Never Grow Cold,” adding a personal touch to the collection. The one somber track, “Just Someone I Used To Know,” served as a poignant reminder of past loves, but even its melancholy tone couldn’t overshadow the overwhelming feeling of new beginnings. It’s impossible to listen to this album without feeling a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, when country music was the soundtrack to real life, filled with real emotions. The easy, natural chemistry between George and Tammy is undeniable, a beautiful, fragile thing that would be tested time and again in the years to come. We Go Together captures that fleeting, perfect moment when two of country’s greatest voices found not only each other, but a harmony that would echo through the decades, long after the final note faded.