7 Greatest George Strait Love Songs

You may have a hard time finding an artist with more hit love songs than George Strait. Whether he’s singing about finding love, holding on to it, or letting it go, his crooning country voice hits the mark. 

Known as the “King of Country Music,” Strait has cranked out hit tunes for more than 40 years. 

Some of his most popular hits have been songs about love. Let’s take a closer look at his greatest love songs and see what makes them so beloved. 

About George Strait

George Harvey Strait, Sr. was born on May 18, 1952, in Southern Texas, near San Antonio. His family owned a cattle ranch, so Strait spent his early childhood years helping out on the farm. When he was in the fourth grade, his parents divorced. His mother moved away with George’s sister, leaving him and his brother John Jr. with their dad. 

George’s music career began in high school when he joined a rock and roll band. The Beatles were his earliest musical influence, but soon he became interested in country music. Artists like Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and George Jones turned him on to what would become his musical passion. 

After high school, George enrolled in college but dropped out shortly after to elope with Norma, his high school sweetheart. In 1971, he enlisted in the Army. While he was stationed in Hawaii, he began playing country music in a band with other servicemen called Rambling Country. 

Four years later, George Strait left the Army and returned to Texas to complete his education. While studying agriculture at Southwest Texas State University, he formed his first country band Ace in the Hole. The band recorded a few albums for an independent label but never really hit it big in any market. 

Through the end of the 1970s and into 1980, George struggled with his music and finding success. At one point, he considered getting out of the business altogether. 

A Change in Luck

Fortunately, in 1981, his luck changed, and he signed with MCA Records, who he’s been with ever since. To say George Strait is a success would be an understatement. He holds the records for the most #1 albums and singles plus the most gold, platinum, and multiplatinum albums in country music history. 

And when it comes to love, George seems to be winning in that arena as well. He’s still happily married to Norma, 50 years after eloping, and they have one son, George “Bubba” Strait, Jr. Sadly, their daughter, Jenifer, born in 1972, passed away in an auto accident when she was 14. 

George Strait has released 31 albums, won 23 Country Music Awards, and was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He is, by all accounts, the most accomplished artist of his genre. 

Now, let’s swing into the list we’ve compiled of the seven greatest George Strait love songs. 

#7 Write This Down

About the Song: These lyrics speak to the heart of someone who sees their relationship come to an end. Sometimes, the writing is on the wall, yet we don’t allow ourselves to see the reality of what’s happening. 

This song not only reached #1 on the country music charts, but it also did well on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #27. To date, this is Strait’s most popular crossover single he’s ever released. 

Greatest Lyric:

Baby, write this down
Take a little note to remind you in case you didn't know
Tell yourself I love you and I don't want you to go
Write this down

First Appearance: The song was released as a single in March 1999 and appeared on Strait’s 19th studio album Always Never the Same. 

#6 Ocean Front Property

About the Song: In this song about heartbreak, the narrator tells his ex that he doesn’t love her, won’t miss her, or want her back. The chorus describes his true feelings when saying if she believes all that, he’s got some oceanfront property in Arizona for her. 

When George Strait released this love song, it hit the top spot on country music charts in the US and Canada. 

Greatest Lyric:

I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona
From my front porch, you can see the sea
I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona
If you'll buy that, I'll throw the Golden Gate in free

First Appearance: The country singer released this hit song in December 1986. George Strait’s seventh studio album Ocean Front Property hit the record stores a few weeks later. 

#5 The Chair

About the Song: The Chair is an example of a song written without a chorus. The lyrics describe a one-sided conversation between two strangers randomly meeting in a bar. 

Hank Cochran and Dean Dillon wrote this song at the end of an all-night songwriting session. Before calling it quits for the night, Dillon strummed his guitar and sang the first line. Twenty minutes later, the writing duo had completed The Chair. 

Greatest Lyric:

Well, excuse me, but I think you've got my chair
No, that one's not taken, I don't mind if you sit here
I'll be glad to share
Yeah, it's usually packed here on Friday nights

First Appearance: This love song was recorded by George Strait and released as a single in 1985. 

#4 All My Ex’s Live in Texas

About the Song: This is a song even non-country music fans are likely familiar with. The lyrics are catchy and heavy with rhymes like “Rosanna’s down in Texarkana” and “Alison’s in Galveston.” You can almost hear George Strait smirking while delivering the lines about former lovers. 

This song reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country music chart. It seemed to hit right in the heart of many music listeners.

Greatest Lyric:

All my exes live in Texas
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
That's why I hang my hat in Tennessee

First Appearance: All My Ex’s appeared as a track on the 1987 Ocean Front Property album. 

#3 I Cross My Heart

About the Song: This George Strait love song couldn’t be any sweeter. The lyrics describe a love between two people that is deep and full of devotion. It’s no surprise that you often hear this song at weddings.

The tune was written for the movie Pure Country, where Strait plays Dusty Chandler. 

Greatest Lyric:

From here on after
Let's stay the way we are right now
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow

First Appearance: The song was released in 1992 and is on the movie soundtrack Pure Country. The soundtrack is Strait’s 13th studio album and remains his best-selling one to date. 

#2 Check Yes or No

About the Song: Love stories don’t get much sweeter than those that start as childhood sweethearts and continue into adulthood. This George Strait love song nails that sweetness with a story beginning in third grade and continues 20 years later. 

Greatest Lyric:

It started way back in third grade
I used to sit beside Emmylou Hayes
A pink dress, a matching bow in her ponytail
She kissed me on the school bus but told me not to tell

First Appearance: The Billboard Country hit single came out in September 1995. It’s in Strait Out of the Box, the country singer’s first box set album. 

#1 Carrying Your Love With Me

About the Song: George Strait is admittedly not a songwriter. In fact, the majority of his hits were written by others. But he has a knack for choosing songs with lyrics that he can turn into a hit with his crooning country voice. 

Here we have a tune about traveling lonely highways and being away from your love for long stretches of time. The way to endure this time alone is by remembering the love you share with your sweetheart back home. 

Greatest Lyric:

On a lonely highway stuck out in the rain
Darlin' all I have to do is speak your name
The clouds roll back and the waters part
The sun starts shinin' in my heart for you
You're right there in everything I do

First Appearance: Strait released this love song in May 1997. As with many of his other tunes, it reached #1 on the country music charts in the US and Canada. 

Which George Strait Love Song is Your Favorite?

This list of love songs from country music legend George Strait is a sure way to become more familiar with him. If you’ve been a fan of his music for years, you likely have your favorites. Let us know which song tugs on your heartstrings the most.