About the song

Released in 1995, this song came at a time when George Strait was already a superstar, a living legend who had spent well over a decade delivering hit after hit. But “Check Yes Or No” felt different. It wasn’t just another chart-topper; it was a beautiful piece of nostalgic storytelling that captured the innocence and simplicity of first love in a way that resonated with everyone. It’s a song that proves that a grand, sweeping gesture of romance can be found in the smallest, most unassuming moments.

The lyrical brilliance of the song, penned by Dana Hunt Black and Danny Wells, lies in its multi-generational narrative. It begins with the simple, universal image of a note passed in a third-grade classroom. That initial question, “Do you love me, do you wanna be my friend?” is a moment we can all recall from our own lives. The song then follows the couple through time, from their innocent beginnings to a mature, enduring love that lasts a lifetime. The final verse, where the narrator asks his wife, “Do you love me?” with the same simple “check yes or no” plea, brings the story full circle. It’s a testament to the idea that the greatest love stories are often the most straightforward and unwavering.

Musically, the song is classic George Strait. It’s a gentle, mid-tempo ballad carried by a warm fiddle melody and a subtle, graceful steel guitar. The production is clean and elegant, allowing the heartfelt narrative to be the star of the show. And of course, at the center of it all is Strait’s smooth, effortless vocal delivery. He sings the song with a quiet charm and sincerity that makes the story utterly believable. He sounds like a man who has lived this life and knows exactly what he’s talking about. For countless couples, “Check Yes Or No” has become a personal anthem, a favorite for wedding dances and anniversary celebrations. It’s a perfect example of why George Strait is considered the “King of Country Music”—he has a unique ability to take a simple, honest story and turn it into a timeless classic.

Video

Lyrics

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
Next day I chased her ’round the playground
‘Cross the monkey bars to the merry-go-round
And Emmylou got caught passing me a note
Before the teacher took it I read what she wrote
“Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend?
And if you do
Well then don’t be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no”
Now we’re grown up and she’s my wife
Still like two kids with stars in our eyes
Ain’t much changed, I still chase Emmylou
Up and down the hall, around the bed in our room
Last night I took her out in a white limousine
Twenty years together she still gets to me
Can’t believe it’s been that long ago
When we got started with just a little note
“Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend?
And if you do
Well then don’t be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no”
“Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend?
And if you do
Well then don’t be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no”
Check yes or no
Check yes or no
Check yes or no
Check yes or no

By tam