George Strait is a storyteller before anything else! His storytelling skill is on clear display with Round About Way. Here the 1997 classic from his 50 Number One collection demonstrates a heartfelt style, where heartache and resilience are comfortable, and acceptance is stressed.
The song speaks of an attempt the narrator has convincing themselves that they’ve moved on when they really haven’t. Will Nance and Steve Dean’s excellent lyricism suggest this heartache, where the narrator admits he’s doing fine, but the lingering emotions nonetheless show up in subtext.
Round About Way
Musically, the song is a reflection of traditional country music, where a steel guitar allows for the delivery to shine; this is particularly true with Round About Way, where a relaxed groove is contrasted against an underlying sadness. Here, we see Strait’s ability to balance sorrow and hope, making it altogether clear why he’s as renowned as he is to this day.
If this song piques your interest, then you haven’t even scratched the surface of all Strait has to offer. You have to listen to Give It Away, another song that puts great strength on storytelling and capturing real-life, vulnerable emotions.
George Strait – Give It Away ♬ (Live From AT&T Stadium) [2014 Version] @GeorgeStrait❤
Even today, the song is a fan favorite, making it clear that Strait understood what makes a song stick with people: its universality. With universal emotions, Strait creates music that will resonate forever.
Please stay connected with George Strait’s legendary career by following his official social media pages.