Introduction
“The Chair” by George Strait is a quintessential country ballad that showcases the genre’s storytelling prowess. Released in August 1985 as the lead single from his album Something Special, the song quickly ascended to the top of the charts, reaching number one on both the U.S. and Canadian country music charts. Notably, it was named one of the Top 100 country songs of all time by CMT, ranking at number 24
The song was penned by renowned songwriters Hank Cochran and Dean Dillon during a late-night songwriting session. Dillon recounted that, after a long evening of writing, he strummed a G chord and sang, “Well, excuse me, but I think you’ve got my chair,” to which Cochran responded, “Have you written that song?” Dillon replied, “No,” and Cochran said, “Well, we’re about to.” In under an hour, “The Chair” was completed .
The song’s lyrics depict a man’s one-sided conversation with a woman at a bar, where he claims she is sitting in his chair, leading to a charming and humorous exchange. The absence of a chorus, with the melody repeating throughout, sets it apart from traditional country songs, highlighting its unique structure .
“The Chair” not only solidified George Strait’s status as a country music icon but also demonstrated the power of simplicity and wit in songwriting. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and Strait’s masterful delivery.