Some songs fade with time “Amarillo By Morning” only gets stronger. With over 53 million views, George Strait’s 1982 recording of this classic rodeo ballad has become more than a hit; it’s a rite of passage for country music lovers. But few know that this Western anthem wasn’t originally his. And the story behind how it got from Terry Stafford’s pen to Strait’s legacy is just as powerful as the lyrics themselves.
Written by Stafford and Paul Fraser, the song was inspired by Stafford’s real-life experience returning home from a San Antonio rodeo; tired, dusty, and still dreaming. It captured the loneliness, grit, and glory of the rodeo cowboy lifestyle. George Strait picked up the track nearly a decade later, giving it a fresh swing rhythm and his signature neo traditional tone. The result? A slow-burn anthem that became a staple at every rodeo and every country music stage thereafter.
Amarillo By Morning – George Strait (Official Audio)
An American classic that’s as resonant now as it was in 1982. Generations of fans call this “the greatest country song ever recorded.” It plays at rodeos, on cross-country drives, and during quiet nights by the fire. And for many Texans, it’s practically a state anthem. From the opening fiddle to Strait’s final note, it carries the weight of a lifestyle most can only imagine.
But if “Amarillo” is about the road, “The Chair” is about the moment you stop running. George Strait’s live performance of it shows another side of his artistry; cool, conversational, unforgettable.
George Strait – The Chair (Live)
Simple in lyrics but rich in delivery, “The Chair” tells a story with no chorus, just charm. And somehow, it’s just as iconic. Strait reminds us he can do more with less and still own the room.
Even today, George Strait’s catalog remains one of the most-streamed in the genre. Clips of “Amarillo By Morning” live performances draw millions, and it’s taught to young musicians as a masterclass in authenticity and control. It’s more than music—it’s identity.