Introduction
In August 1985, George Strait released “The Chair”, the lead single from his fifth studio album, Something Special. A honky‑tonk masterpiece co-written by legendary songwriters Hank Cochran and Dean Dillon, the track defied convention: it unfolds entirely as a one‑sided conversation with no chorus—a bold storytelling gamble that quickly paid off . Crafted in roughly 20 minutes late one night, the lyric opens with, “Well excuse me, but I think you’ve got my chair,” immediately placing listeners in the middle of a flirtatious barroom serenade .
Strait’s smooth, understated delivery turned ordinary pickup lines into unforgettable charm, guiding the song to the top of the Billboard Hot Country chart by December 21, 1985—his seventh No. 1 hit—and cementing its status as a sleeper classic . Critics and fans alike have since hailed “The Chair” as one of his finest performances: CMT ranks it among the Top 100 Country Songs, and it consistently lands near the top of “best-of” Strait song lists for its lyrical ingenuity and emotional warmth .
More than 35 years later, on May 10, 2025, George Strait brought this timeless gem back to life during his stadium concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. In front of a 52,000‑strong audience, Strait delivered a whiskey‑smooth rendition that resonated with both long-time fans and new listeners, proving once again the song’s enduring power . Though physically more reserved—limiting himself to stools onstage—his voice retained the rich, emotional clarity that first made “The Chair” a country classic .
From its spontaneous creation and clever narrative to its landmark chart success and 2025 stadium revival, “The Chair” stands as a hallmark of Strait’s artistry. It’s a song that captures a magical moment in time while continuing to enchant listeners decades later—especially under the bright lights of a packed Philadelphia stadium.