Introduction
“South of Santa Fe” is a 1998 song by renowned American country duo Brooks & Dunn, featured on their fifth studio album, If You See Her, released on June 2, 1998 . Written collaboratively by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Larry Boone, and Paul Nelson, the track was first recorded in March 1998 and subsequently released as the album’s fifth single.
Distinctly led by Kix Brooks on vocals—one of the rare occasions he fronted a single—the song charts a melancholic mid-tempo narrative rooted in longing and reflection. Despite the duo’s string of chart-topping hits from this era, “South of Santa Fe” peaked modestly at No. 41 on the Billboard country charts, marking the only time a Brooks & Dunn single missed the Top 40 . It was also their final single to feature Brooks on lead vocals, as Ronnie Dunn typically assumed the role front-and-center from that point forward .
Critics offered mixed reviews: AllMusic’s Jana Pendragon commended the album overall while labeling some cuts formulaic, and Country Standard Time’s Kevin Oliver described “South of Santa Fe” as uneven and “wretched” . Despite this, the song has garnered affection among die-hard fans and distinguished listeners who resonate with its haunting atmosphere. Notably, the duo performed it at the 34th Academy of Country Music Awards in May 1999, showcasing a strong live presence .
If You See Her proved successful, achieving double-platinum status in the U.S., and spawned multiple No. 1 singles like “If You See Him/If You See Her,” “How Long Gone,” and “Husbands and Wives” . “South of Santa Fe,” with its moody, traditional-country tone, remains a standout—an emotional swan song from Kix Brooks in their single releases, offering a bittersweet, southern-tinted glimpse into their versatile artistry. Its enduring resonance lies in the evocative storytelling—and the rare space it gives to Brooks’s deeper, introspective voice.