If there is one artist who embodies the spirit of country music it’s George Strait and he sings with such sadness and reflection on the song Troubadour. This 2008 release is a highly personal reflection on life, legacy and the travels of the consummate troubadour, a reminder that no matter how much time passes, George Strait is always going to be a cowboy at heart.
The nostalgia resonates from the first line “I still feel 25, most of the time”. It serves as his triumphant battle cry, with lyrics chronicling the journey of an older man who has lived a full life in music and still clings onto the same passion that sparked the flame in the beginning. Asking you to think of him and Jesse James, Strait admits that he’s still “trying to make a name”, despite being legendary in the industry.
George Strait – Troubadour (Official Music Video – Closed Captioned)
The simplicity and honesty of Troubadour makes it beautiful. The song’s melody is warm and timeless, and the lyrics describe a man who has witnessed everything life has to offer but hasn’t forgotten where he comes from. The last verse that he was a troubadour when he rode in on a song, and he’ll be an old troubadour when he is gone confirms this as one of the greatest goodbye songs in the whole of country music, even if Strait continues to record and fill stadiums today.
George Strait – The Cowboy Rides Away (Official Lyric Video)
If Troubadour hit you straight in the heart, it’s time to … listen to another iconic George Strait song “The Cowboy Rides Away.” Much like Troubadour, it’s a song about leaving behind a legacy, one packed with reflection, gratitude and an inescapable sense of country storytelling. To follow along with his life work and more of his exotic tales and songs, here is a playlist that is sure to entice you for hours on end listening to his bountiful cowboy songs and an accent that is to die for.