Celebrating George Strait’s Legendary Career in Country Music

George Strait has experienced a truly phenomenal trajectory in the world of country music, having long attained the status of a living legend. Known affectionately as «The King of Country Music,» Strait, at 72, boasts an impressive repertoire with five dozen chart-topping singles and over 70 million albums sold throughout his four-decade-long career.

An often overlooked aspect of Strait’s career is his songwriting prowess. In an interview with Cowboys & Indians, Strait confessed, «For a lot of years I put songwriting on the back burner. I’ve had so much luck and have been so successful finding material from other writers that I really got lazy about it. Writing, for me, is not easy. It requires a lot of time and can be pretty intense.» Despite the challenges, Strait persevered in crafting memorable songs, often collaborating with his son to produce notable material.

One of Strait’s poignant songs was inspired by the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children. This song resonates deeply with Strait and his wife, Norma, who endured the loss of their own child at the age of 13 in a car accident. «It’s just the worst thing that can happen to you in your life, to lose a child,» Strait shared with Cowboys & Indians.

Among Strait’s earlier works is a song centered on longing for Texas. As reported by American Songwriter, this track from the album «Strait from the Heart» is steeped in nostalgia, capturing the universal theme of yearn for one’s roots. The second verse reads, «I can’t say I don’t like Tennessee / The people here have all been good to me / So please don’t take offense if I start to get intense / Just ‘cause I can’t see Texas from here.»

«Amarillo By Morning,» a standout in Strait’s discography, encapsulates the essence of Texas imagery and culture, with vivid depictions of cowboy life. Its infectious musical quality conjures images of Texan landscapes, a testament to Strait’s ability to weave evocative narratives through song.

The track «The Chair,» co-written by Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran, showcases Strait’s knack for storytelling. Here, Strait is portrayed as a regular in a bar, engaging in a playful interaction with a woman, capturing moments of everyday romance with clever lyrical twists.

In a lighter vein, «Ocean Front Property» reveals Strait’s comedic side. The song revolves around an absurd scenario of selling an oceanfront property in a desert, employing whimsy to address themes of heartache and denial.

The CMA Awards are set to honor George Strait with the 2024 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, affirming his rightful place among the greats of country music. Strait’s storied career stands as a testament to his enduring appeal and contributions to the genre.