GEORGE STRAIT: 60 No. 1 Hits – And Still Going Strong With 60 No. 1 country hits — more than anyone in history — George Strait has built a legacy few can touch. From “Amarillo by Morning” to “Check Yes or No,” his music never chased trends — it defined what real country is. “I just stuck to what I loved,” he once said. And that honesty has kept him at the top for decades. At over 70, he’s still packing stadiums, still singing like the Texas wind — steady, strong, and true. 60 hits isn’t just a number. It’s proof of a legend who never had to change to stay great. And he’s not done yet.

Introduction

History and Introduction: “Amarillo By Morning” (Live From The Astrodome) – George Strait

“Amarillo By Morning” is one of the most iconic songs in country music history, closely associated with George Strait, who performed a celebrated live version at the Houston Astrodome in 2002. Though many fans connect the song with Strait, it was originally written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser. Stafford first recorded it in 1973 after being inspired by a rodeo he attended in San Antonio, Texas. The lyrics reflect the rugged, solitary lifestyle of a traveling rodeo cowboy—resilient despite hardship, losses, and the open road.

George Strait recorded his version in 1982, releasing it on his second studio album, Strait from the Heart. While not a No. 1 hit on the charts—it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles—it became one of Strait’s signature songs and a staple of his live performances. It exemplifies the neotraditional country style that Strait helped bring back to prominence in the 1980s, favoring classic instrumentation and straightforward, heartfelt storytelling.

The “Live From The Astrodome” performance in 2002 was particularly significant. It marked the final concert ever held at the legendary Houston Astrodome, with Strait performing for a record-breaking crowd of over 68,000 people. His rendition of “Amarillo By Morning” that night captured the spirit of both the venue and the song: wide open, deeply Texan, and full of unshakable pride.

This performance remains a fan favorite not only for Strait’s flawless delivery but for the emotional connection he brings to the tale of endurance and freedom. “Amarillo By Morning” continues to resonate with generations of country music fans, standing as a timeless ode to the American cowboy spirit.

Video

Lyrics

Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
When that Sun is high
In that Texas sky
I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo I’ll be there
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I’ll be lookin’ for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain’t blind
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s on my mind
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
I ain’t got a dime
But what I’ve got is mine
I ain’t rich
But Lord, I’m free
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be