George Strait's Top 20 Songs Of All Time: Nos. 5-1

By Rocks Off Tue., Sep. 13 2011 at 4:15 PM

Categories: Texas Me

Pin It

As Rocks Off dives into the top slots of our favorite George Strait songs from his 30-year career - see Nos. 20-16, 15-11 and 10-6 - we are waiting anxiously to see if King George was able to knock Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter IV from atop the Billboard 200. A top seat for the brand-new Here For a Good Time on the country albums chart is an absolute reality, just as Houston is hot and beer is best cold.

This past weekend, we picked up 2006's It Just Comes Natural, which features "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls," "I Ain't Her Cowboy Anymore" and the spiritual brother of "Ocean Front Property," a rib-tickler called "She Told Me So." Yes, we do buy at least one Strait album once a week, booze budget permitting. But then again, if we are drinking a lot, Strait's music is actually a part of our liquid diet, like ice or Coca-Cola.

We finish up this list with a few of Strait's best and most beloved tracks. Knowing the Rocks Off team, this list could have gone on for weeks. Hit up our Rdio account to dive into the mouth of madness... if you dare.

5. "Amarillo By Morning": Gene Elders' fiddle alone - one of the most beautiful and recognizable melodies in country music history - would be enough to land "Amarillo" in the Top 5, but it's also got one of the best key changes in George Strait's catalog and one of the best back stories we've ever heard. Rocks Off Jr. told you all about it back in June. Chris Gray

Written By: Terry Stafford
Originally Released On: Strait From the Heart (1982)

4. "The Chair": Paul Franklin's steel guitar strikes again on this list, during the intro of what is arguably Strait's best-known cut, written by the late songwriting great Hank Cochran. Strait's ability to take a song and make it into a conversational honky-tonk masterpiece is a testament to what has made him King George since 1981. Also, the character in the song is kind of devious, and a smooth operator. Shit, just watch the video's beginning when Strait pulls up his head into the light and starts slaying the ladies. And you know that the guy at the bar has used that "chair" line before, and there has to be a line of teary-eyed women to prove it. Craig Hlavaty

Written By: Hank Cochran
Originally Released On: Something Special (1985)

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.