About the song
If you’ve been around the country music scene for any amount of time, you know there are certain songs that aren’t just hits; they’re bona fide anthems. They become part of the very fabric of the genre. And for countless fans, few songs fit that description better than George Strait’s iconic “Amarillo By Morning.”
Now, what’s interesting about this classic is that it wasn’t an original. The song was first a minor hit for Terry Stafford in 1973, but it was a decade later when George Strait took it on that it truly found its home. Released in 1983 on his Strait from the Heart album, his version of “Amarillo By Morning” was a career-defining moment. It solidified his image as a traditionalist and a genuine storyteller, a man who understood the soul of country music better than almost anyone else in his generation.
The magic of Strait’s rendition lies in its beautiful simplicity and profound authenticity. The song tells the story of a down-on-his-luck rodeo cowboy. He’s been “out on the road since I was seventeen,” and the physical and emotional toll is palpable. The lyrics paint a vivid picture: “I got a busted up body and a saddle sore head,” and “they took my saddle in Houston, broke my leg in Santa Fe.” It’s a tale of hard work, perseverance, and the constant sacrifice of a life dedicated to a difficult passion. But it’s not a song of defeat. The narrator is still holding on to one thing: the promise of home, of getting back to what matters, of being in Amarillo By Morning.
Musically, the song is a perfect marriage of lyrics and sound. The arrangement is quintessential Strait—a relaxed, smooth tempo that’s propelled by that mournful steel guitar and a fiddle that sounds as weary as the cowboy himself. There’s a certain lonely ache in the melody that perfectly complements the narrative. But the real genius is in George Strait’s voice. He delivers the words with a quiet dignity and a sense of resigned wisdom that makes the story utterly believable. He doesn’t just sing the song; he embodies the character. For many, “Amarillo By Morning” is more than just a song about a rodeo; it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever had to endure hardship for the sake of their dream. It’s a timeless testament to the power of a great song and the perfect interpreter to bring it to life.
Video
Lyrics
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
When that Sun is high
In that Texas sky
I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo I’ll be there
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I’ll be lookin’ for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain’t blind
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s on my mind
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
I ain’t got a dime
But what I’ve got is mine
I ain’t rich
But Lord, I’m free
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
