The List Of George Strait Singles That Did NOT Go #1 Is Downright Shocking

It’s hard to believe The King has any songs that weren’t #1 hits at this point.

Of course, we all know that George Strait is often called the “King of Country” for good reason… he’s one of the most influential, successful, and respected artists the genre has ever seen. On stage or off stage, he’s a consummate professional, the definition of class. Born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, and raised on a ranch in nearby Pearsall, Strait grew up steeped in country music traditions. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he also played in a military country band, he returned to Texas, earned an agriculture degree at Texas State, and began pursuing music seriously with his band, Ace in the Hole.

Strait signed with MCA Records in the early 1980s, at a time when Nashville was eating up the pop-country crossovers. Think Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Anne Murray, Johnny Lee… the kind of stuff you’d find on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. But George broke on the scene in 1981 with debut single, “Unwound,” and cut through that trend with its honky-tonk grit. Right from the jump, Strait became am absolute country music powerhouse, releasing a run of albums that most could never even dream about, scoring a staggering 60+ #1 hits… more than any other artist in any genre. Never one to chase trends, Strait built a career on consistency, authenticity, and a deep connection with fans.

The list of songs that topped the charts includes country music classics like “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Write This Down,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Check Yes Or No,” and “The Chair.” It would be easy to look at the list and think that King George has hit #1 with every single that he’s released. But there are actually some surprising songs that aren’t on the list. In fact, some of his biggest “hits” in the minds of country music fans actually DIDN’T top the charts.

Here are some of the George Strait songs that were never #1 that may surprise you (it’s not all of them):

“Marina Del Rey”

George Strait scored his first ever #1 single with “Fool Hearted Memory” from his 1982 album Strait From The Heart. But the follow-up single from that album, “Marina Del Rey,” peaked at #6 on the chart.

A bittersweet ballad, it tells the story of a fleeting romance in the California seaside city of Marina del Rey. The song showcased Strait’s gift for understated emotional delivery and helped solidify his reputation as a traditionalist in the early ‘80s country scene. How it only got to #6? I have no idea…

“The Cowboy Rides Away”

This one took on even more meaning when Strait decided to semi-retire back in 2014 following his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. But back in 1985, the single broke his streak of five strait #1 hits when it peaked at #5 on the charts. This song is about the end of a relationship, told through cowboy imagery, which a number of country artists have dabbled with. Jon Pardi flipped the script on its head when he released “Ain’t Always The Cowboy” in 2020.

“The Fireman”

The final single that Strait released from his 1984 album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, and the follow-up to “The Cowboy Rides Away,” “The Fireman” peaked at #5 on the charts – and became his second single in a row that missed out on #1. George sings about putting out “fires” in women’s hearts. Its swinging beat and clever lyrics made it one of his most lighthearted and crowd-pleasing singles.

“Adalida”

I’m a little biased because I think this is one of Strait’s more underrated songs. I mean, any song that can work “Pontchartrain” (a lake in Louisiana) into the lyrics has to be a songwriting masterclass, but Strait’s 1995 single “Adalida” from his album Lead On surprisingly peaked at #3 on the charts. Consistent with the Louisiana theme, the song mixes Cajun and zydeco-inspired rhythms with Strait’s Texas drawl. It’s about a Cajun queen named Adalida, and its playful energy gave Strait one of his more distinctive and festive mid-‘90s hits.

“Troubadour”

Another one of my all-time favorite George Strait songs that missed the cut. From his 2008 album of the same name, “Troubadour” somehow managed to peak at only #7 on the charts, though it did earn Strait a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. This reflective song finds Strait looking back on his life as a musician with humility and gratitude. And although it was never a huge radio hit, it resonated deeply with fans, proving that even when the King didn’t top the charts, he was still a timeless country music storyteller.

“I Got A Car”

Released in 2013 as the final single from his Love Is Everything album, “I Got A Car” was a relative flop at radio, hitting only #17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Written by Tom Douglas and Keith Gattis, the song is a love story built around the simple symbol of a car… from meeting someone, to getting married, to starting a family. Its narrative style and classic George Strait charm made it a late-career gem.

“Amarillo By Morning”

The most surprising song on the list. This one may be hard to believe because it’s one of Strait’s signature songs now, and arguably, his greatest ever. In fact, when we hosted a George Strait #1 singles bracket, voted on by hundreds of thousands of fans, it won in a landslide.

But when it was released as a single back in 1982, it peaked at #4 on the American charts – though it did reach the top of the charts in Canada. And while it wasn’t one of his 60 #1s, “Amarillo By Morning” has since been certified triple platinum by the RIAA and has become one of Strait’s best-selling singles. Originally written and recorded by Terry Stafford, George Strait’s version is the definitive one, telling the story of a rodeo cowboy’s hardships and resilience. It remains one of the greatest country songs of all time.

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