Today is George Strait’s birthday, so we are sharing nine of our favorites from the King of Country.
1. A Fire I Can’t Put Out
Released in 1983, it was Strait’s fourth single off his album Strait from Hell. The song was Strait’s second-ever No. 1 single.
2. The Chair
The Chair has something noticeably missing from it - a chorus. The song highlights a conversation between a man and a woman from the perspective of the man having the conversation and clearly, the lack of chorus didn’t matter, it was a hit anyway. The song reached No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada in 1985.
3. I Cross My Heart
I Cross My Heart is the first single released off Strait’s 1992 album Pure Country, which also served as the soundtrack for a film by the same name. The song quickly reached No. 1 in both the U.S. and Canada.
4. Check Yes or No
George Strait was obviously no stranger to No. 1 hits and Check Yes or No was no exception. It was the first single released from his 1995 album Strait out of the Box. That same year, it won Single of the Year at the CMA Awards and ACM Awards.
5. One Night at a Time
The 1997 hit was described as a little more pop-leaning than Strait had been in the past.
6. I Can Still Make Cheyenne
The song is a cowboy song through and through. I Can Still Make Cheyenne tells the story of a heartbroken rodeo cowboy.
7. Heartland
Recorded in 1993, this is another song from Pure Country that reached No. 1.
8. Living and Living Well
Released in 2002, this is the most recent song to make our list. In addition to cracking No. 1 on the country charts, this song also had crossover appeal.
9. Troubadour
Recorded in 2008, this title track would go on to be the King’s 86th charting single and his 79th top ten single. Little known fact: Vince Gill sings the background vocals.