George Strait Greatest Hits Songs
For The Acoustic

A Fire I Can't Put Out was a #1 hit back in 1983 with this single from the album "Strait From The Heart".

Other songs with this same album cover below are also found on this album.

For rhythm here play a root up down up root up down up and repeat pattern in standard tuning and with some lead required. The chords are G, A7, D, D7, Bm and an A.

Adaliada was a #3 hit in the US and a #2 in Canada when it was released back in 1995.

The song can be found on the album "Lead On".

For this tune I play a drop D tuning with a capo 2nd fret while playing a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern. Some lead with the the chords D, G, C and a D7.

All My Exes Live In Texas hails from the 1986 album Ocean Front Property.

The song topped the country charts in both Canada and the US.

I play a capo 2nd fret here in standard tuning with the chords G, D, Am, C, Cm, D7, A7 and C#. Some lead in this one while playing a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

Amarillo By Morning was written by Terry Stafford and Paul Frasier and they recored it in 1973 and had a top 30 hit. This song was actually a B-side to a song called "Say Has Anybody Seen My Gypsy Rose", which was the A-Side when Staffed released the single in June of 73. By October, they realized Amarillo By Morning was getting more airplay, so they re-released the single and flipped sides, putting Amarillo By Morning on the A-Side. 

George Strait recorded the song in 1982 for his album "Strait From The Heart" and released the single in 1983, scoring a #4 hit on the country charts in the US and hit #1 in Canada.

Chris Ledoux also covered the song before George Strait back in 1975. 

Played in standard tuning with a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead required. For chords play a D, Gbm, G, A7, Gmaj7, A, E, Abm, A, B7 and an Amaj7.

Blame It On Mexico was one of four songs recorded at the very beginning of George Strait's career, even before he had a recording contract way back in 1981. It was Feb, and George entered the Waxwork Recording Studio in Berry Hill Tennessee.

Unwound, Blame It On Mexico, Perfect Mind and Nobody In His Right Mind Would Have Left Her were recorded. Blame It On Mexico was recorded later in June of 1981.

No lead in this one with the chords C, G6, Am, Am/G, Fmaj7 and a Dm and played in standard tuning. For rhythm play a root up down up with a shuffle as you decend thru the chords. In the chorus there is a chop in the rhythm.

Blue Clear Sky was the title of the album by the same name which came out back in the spring of 1996.  The single from the album went to #1 on the country charts and the album itself won several industry awards as the best country album from 1996.

If the title seems backwards, it is because that title came from Forrest Gump. Even George asked Bob DiPiero, who co-wrote the song, about this odd title. But in the end they kept it as is instead of changing it to Clear Blue Sky.

I play a capo 2nd fret here with drop D tuning and some lead. The rhythm is mainly all down strokes in a rock & roll type play with the chords D, G, A and a Bm.

Carrying Your Love With Me was the title of the 17th album released by George Strait in Apr of 1997.

This song was released in May and peaked at #1 on the country charts.

I play a capo 3rd fret on this one in standard tuning and some lead required. For rhythm play a down down up down up and repeat pattern with some riffs blended in and the chords G, D, C, D/Gb, Em, Dsus and a D7 (optional).

Check Yes Or No hails from his 1995 album, "Strait Out Of The Box" where George scored another #1 hit with the release of this song in both Canada and the US.

There was a music video also for this song.

Another one here with a capo 3rd fret but no lead, just a few riffs and bass runs. For rhythm I use a few chops to get this one going and then a root up down up root up down up or use a shuffle in the ch which is a root down up down up root up down up and repeat. Chords needed are a D, A, G and a Bm.

Desperately was written by Texan Bruce Robison, brother of Charlie Robison.

George Strait put this number on his 2003 album Honkytonkville, and the song peaked at #6 in 2004 on the US Country charts.

One of those cool George Strait guitar songs to learn acoustically.

I play a drop D tuning here with a root down up down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead. The chords here are A, D, G, Em and an A7.

Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind is a 1984 song from the album of the same name.

This song was a big #1 hit for George Strait and has become one of his most beloved songs down through the decades. The song was written by Sanger and Darlene Shafer.

The rhythm here is a root down up root up down up and repeat pattern with a bit of lead and a few riffs in standard tuning. The chords you'll need are a C, G, F and a C7.

Drinkin Man was written by George Strait, his son George Strait Jr (a.k.a. Bubba) and Dean Dillon, who wrote "Unwound" for George way back in 1981.

This song peaked at #37 on the country charts in 2012 and can be found on his Here For A Good Time album.

I play a capo 4th fret here in standard tuning and use a steady shuffle with a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern as I move thru the chords. No lead here and the chords are Asus4, A, Asus2, D, Esus, E and a D/Gb.

Easy Come Easy Go was co-written by Dean Dillon. This was the lead single from the 1993 album of the same name and reached #1 on the country charts.

The song also crossed over onto the Billboard Hot 100 reaching #71 on that chart. 

I play a drop D tuning in this one and some lead here with the chords D, G, A7, Em and an A7sus. For rhythm in the verse I play a  down (mute down up down) up up down up and repeat and down up stop up in the chorus.

Fool Hearted Memory was George's first #1 hit from way back in 1982.

This song hails from his 2nd album as the first album did not product any #1 hits.

Some of these early songs are truly George Strait pure country at it's finest.

This one you can play in standard tuning while playing a root down root up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning. Some picking and riffs here with the chords A, Amaj7, D, Esus, E, Bm and a Dm.

Give It Away was the song that broke Conway Twitty's record of 40 No hits by becoming the #41st hit back in 2006 of George Strait.

The song is from his album It Just Comes Natural.

I play a capo 3rd fret on this number and drop D tuning. Some lead with the chords D, G, A and a G7 while playing a root up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

God And Country Music as of Jan 2022, was one of three last singles released by George Strait which was released back in 2019 from his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The song reached #36 on the country charts. 

George Strait's last top 10 was back in 2012 and his last #1 was in 2008.

Play this one in standard tuning and I play a capo 3rd fret with just a riff and no lead required. For rhythm, arpeggio a few notes and play a root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. The chords here are G, Em, C, D, Em, Am and a G6.

He Must Have Hurt You Really Bad came in as a request by a customer but as I discovered, it was never released as a single. The song can be found on the album It Just Comes Natural which was released back in 2006 and produced four singles, but not this one.

Give It Away and Wrapped were two big singles from this album along with the title track.

Another capo 3rd fret tune in standard tuning and no lead required. Play an arpeggio 1,2 up down up and repeat or a down down up down up rhythm pattern with the chords G, C/G, Am7, G6, C, Em, Bm, D/Gb, Dsus and a D.

Heartland was a #1 for George Strait in 1993 and was also the soundtrack for the movie Pure Country. The song was the second single from the album.

George Strait starred in the film as Dusty Chandler about a small town country artist with big dreams.

This one I play with a drop D tuning with some lead and a down up down up with a rock and roll strum for a rhythm pattern. Some lead with the chords D, G, A, Bm, C, Gb and an E.

Here For A Good Time hails from the 2011 album of te same name. 9 of the 11 tracks were written by George Strait, his son Bubba and Dean Dillon.

The song peaked at #2 in both Canada and the US.

I Can Still Make Cheyenne was one of three #1 hits from this album by George Strait released back in 1996.

One of those classic George Strait song on guitar that every country musician should learn.

I play a capo 1st fret here and drop D tuning while playing a root down up down up or use a bit of arpeggio 1,2,3 up down up down up for rhythm. No lead with the chords D, G, A7, A and a Bm.

I Cross My Heart is a song from 1992. This one was the first single release from the album Pure Country and also appeared in the movie of the same name at the end.

It was a #1 hit for George Strait in both the US and Canada.

When the song became available as a digital download it racked up nearly a million downloads since 2015.

For rhythm here you can play a down down up down up and repeat with some lead in standard tuning and the chords D, D/Gb, G, A, Asus, Bm, Gbm, A7, Em, F and C.

I Gotta Get To You was written by three writers in Nashville, this song hails from the 2010 George Strait album entitled "Twang".

The song reached #3 on the Billboard US Country Chart also at the time when his song Twang was also on the charts.

I play a capo 2nd fret on this number in standard tuning and no lead, but some quick bass runs. For chords you'll need a G, Am, D, G7, C, and a G6 while playing a root up down up bass up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

I Hate Everything was the lead single form the 2004 George Strait album "50 Number Ones" and went on to peak at #1 on the US Country charts.

The song was also a #3 in Canada.

The chords in this one are Am, G6, C, D, G, D/Gb and am Em in standard tuning while playing a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Some lead required in this one.

I Just Wanna Dance With You was a John Prine and Roger Cook song and was recorded by George Strait for his album One Step At A Time, which was released in 1998.

George scored another #1 hit with this song which John Prine recorded back in 1986 and it also became a hit in 1992 for Daniel O'Donnell in the UK reaching #20.

Play a root down up down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern for this one in standard tuning and with some lead. The chords are C, G7, F and a C7.

If It Wasn't For Texas hails from the 2005 album Somewhere Down In Texas and this particular song was written by Guy Clark.

What was confusing me is that on the album the song is simply called "Texas" and the writers listed are Steven Dale Jones and Phillip White. So I'm not really sure about the actual song title or if Guy Clark wrote this one.

For chords here play a G, D/Gb, A7, D, A and a Bm with a capo 3rd fret in standard tuning. A little bit of picking while playing a root up root up down and repeat rhythm pattern.

It Ain't Cool is another Dean Dillon collaboration which resulted in this one from 1986 and another #1 hit song. Only two singles were released from the album #7 and this was his 9th number one at the time.

Country artist Kenny Chesney also released a version in 2007 but only as a B-Side to his single Never Wanted Nothing More.

You can play down strokes in the verse and a root down up down up root up down up in the chorus for rhythm in this one. Played in standard tuning with just a riff and the chords  G, D, A, A7sus, A7, Adim, Gbm and an Em.

Living For The Night was co-written by George Strait and his son Bubba with Nashville writer Dean Dillon for the 2009 album Twang. The song was the lead single from that album.

There was also a music video for the song showing George performing it in concert. The song eventually made it to the #2 position in the U and #4 in Canada.

I play a capo first here in standard tuning with the chords C, Em7, F, G, Fmaj7, Am and a G/E. Some lead here while playing a shuffle down down up down up down down up down down and repeat pattern for rhythm.

Love Without End Amen came out in 1990 from the "Livin' It Up" album. Of all the George Strait hit songs over the years, most spent only one week at the top of the country charts. But this one spend a whopping 5 weeks tie-ing a record set by Dolly Parton 13 years earlier in 1977.

The song also reached #1 in Canada.

No lead in this one in standard tuning as you play a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords D, G, A7, B7 and an E.

Nobody In His Right Mind was written and recorded by Dean Dillon himself and released in 1980, peaking at #25.

But George Strait added his magic to the song in 1986 and took it to #1 in the US and Canada. The song is found on the #7 album. Keith Whitley recorded a version in 1985, but never released is as a single.

I play a capo 3rd fret here with some lead work and a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. For chords play a D, Bm, G, A, Bm/A, A7sus, A7 and a Gmaj7.

Ocean Front Property was co-written by Dean Dillon in 1987 and scored another #1 hit for George Strait in both the US and Canada. It was also the name of the album which set a record at the time being the first Country album to debut at #1 on Billboards Top Country Albums chart. 

Of course Arizona is a landlocked state with no body of water next to it so the writers used is as a play on words with the line "Ocean front property in Arizona, from my front porch you can see the sea."

For rhythm here play a root down root up down up and repeat pattern with some lead and in standard tuning. The chords are D, Gmaj7, G, A and an A7.

Seashores Of Old Mexico was written by Merle Haggard who recorded his version in 1974 and again with Willie nelson in 1987.

Freddy Weller and Hank Snow also did covers in the 1970's. 

This one is played in standard tuning with no lead and the chords D, A/Db, Bm, A, Em, A7, Am7, D7 and a G. For rhythm play a root up up down up and repeat pattern.

The Best Day was written by Dean Dillon and Carson Chamberlain and was a #1 hit back in 2000. 

The song can be found on the album Latest Greatest Straitest Hits.

I play a capo 2nd fret with this one in standard tuning and no lead, just a riff. Play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords G, G/D#, C, D, A7, A7sus, D7, Am7 and a G7.

The Fireman has an up tempo beat and came out in 1985 from the album "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind".

The song was a #10 hit in Canada and a #5 hit in the US.

This one I play in standard tuning with some lead and a root up up down up and repeat rhythm pattern or a down up down up will work as well. For chords play an A, E, D7 and E7.

The Nerve is a song written by Bobby Braddock and appeared on George Strait's 1997 album Carrying You Love With Me.

The song was never released as a single.

Three Nails And A Cross hails from the "Here or A Good Time" album which was released in 2011.

George co-wrote this song with his son, Dean Dillon and Bobby Boyd.

This one I play with a capo 1st in standard tuning. For rhythm I play a root down up down up root down up down up pattern with no picking. For chords play a G, Em, C, A7, D6, Am7, D, Em/Db and an Em7.

Troubadour was a single release back in 2008 from the album of the same name. Country singer Vince Gill sang backup vocals on the song which reached #7 on the country charts in the US and #3 in Canada. A music video was created for the single. 

Below you'll find my George Strait Troubadour guitar chords listed and as a free chord sheet. There is also a full George Strait troubadour guitar lesson available on video for a small fee. 

A capo 4th will give you the original key in standard tuning. Play a root down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with a few riffs with the chords C, G and Em.

Unwound was released in 1981 and was his debut career single from the album Strait Country. It never reached #1 but it did make it to #6. And that will draw radio play and exposure, which of course it sure did.

The song was actually written for Johnny Paycheck, but he was in jail at the time. So Blake Mervis managed to get the song for George. And since then, Dean Dillon has helped write more than 40 George Strait songs. Imagine if Paycheck was not in jail that day.

The three chords here are A, E and D with some lead and in standard tuning. For rhythm you can play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

Where Have I Been All My Life can be found on the 2009 album entitled "Twang".

Play this one in standard tuning with a capo 1st fret to put you into the original key. Some lead required with the chords G, Em, Gbm, D, Bm, A7sus, A7 and a Gb.

Wrapped was written by Bruce Robison (brother of Texan artist Charlie Robison) and recorded his own version for this song. George Strait picked up the song for his album "It Just Come Natural" and had a #2 hit with his version.

Kelly Willis also covered the song.

I use a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning while playing a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern, or use a root down up bass up down up pattern. The chords needed here are D, Bm, G, A, E, Dbm and a B7 with some lead required.

Write This Down was released the album "Always Never The Same" in 1999 as the 2nd single.

It was the 35th #1 country song from George Strait and crossed over to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song also hit #1 in Canada.

This one you can play in standard tuning  playing a root down root up down up rhythm pattern with the chords G, A, C, D, D7, A7 and Bm. Some lead is required.

You Look So Good In Love was the first music video put out by George Strait in 1983. He didn't like the final result and refused to do music videos for several years because of the slow pace of this one.

The song was a #1 country hit when it was released from his album Right Or Wrong.

You'll Be There was a #4 hit for George Strait pure country back in 2005 from his album "Somewhere Down In Texas".

The song was written by Cory Mayo. 

I play this one with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning with no lead. For rhythm play a root down up down up down up and repeat and blend in some a arpeggio. No lead with the chords D, D/Gb, G, Asus, A, Bm and an F.