About the song
Released in 2008, this wasn’t a song from a young artist trying to make a name for himself. By this point, George Strait was already a living legend, well into his 50s with a career spanning over a quarter of a century. The title track from his album of the same name, Troubadour isn’t just a tune; it’s a poignant, self-aware reflection on a life dedicated to music. The lyrics, penned by Leslie Satcher and Monty Holmes, paint a vivid picture of a man who has spent his life traveling, performing, and living for his craft. They speak to the quiet dignity of a musician who never gave in to trends or chased the latest fad, but instead, simply kept playing the songs that mattered to him.
What makes Troubadour so deeply resonant is its honest and unvarnished truth. The opening lines, “I was a young troubadour when I wrote my first song,” immediately connect us to a journey that is both personal and universal. The song follows the arc of a life, from a young man with a dream to an older man looking back with both wisdom and a stubborn refusal to quit. The line, “I’m still a troubadour, and I’ll play my last song for you,” is not a lament; it’s a promise. It’s a testament to the fact that for some people, the passion for their calling doesn’t fade with age; it only deepens.
Musically, the song is classic George Strait. It’s not overproduced or flashy. It’s a beautifully simple, mid-tempo ballad with a gentle rhythm, clean steel guitar, and a fiddle that feels like a warm, familiar presence. Strait’s vocal performance is impeccable—calm, confident, and full of genuine emotion. There’s no need for vocal acrobatics; the power of the song comes from its sincerity. Troubadour is a masterful piece of storytelling that captures the essence of what makes George Strait such an enduring and beloved figure in country music. It’s a song for anyone who has ever stuck with their passion, a dignified nod to a life well-lived and a promise that the music will keep playing, as long as there’s a voice to sing it. It’s a quintessential piece of his legacy.
Video
Lyrics
I still feel twenty five
Most of the time
I still raise a little cain with the boys
Honky Tonks and pretty women
Lord I’m still right there with them
Singing above the crowd and the noiseSometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneWell, the truth about a mirror
It’s that a damn old mirror
Don’t really tell the whole truth
It don’t show what’s deep inside
Oh read between the lines
It’s really no reflection of my youthSometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneI was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneI’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone
