Introduction
“Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” is a song by George Strait, co-written with his son Bubba Strait and longtime collaborator Dean Dillon. Released on February 11, 2019, it served as the lead single from his 30th studio album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, which was released on March 29, 2019 .
The song was inspired during a late-night writing session at George Strait’s ranch in South Texas. According to Strait, his son Bubba contributed the opening line, “Whiskey is the gasoline that lights the fire that burns the bridge,” which sparked the creation of the song .
Musically, “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” embodies the neotraditional country sound, characterized by its upbeat tempo and honky-tonk style. The lyrics vividly depict scenes from a honky-tonk bar, capturing the essence of nightlife and the emotions tied to it.
The song received positive reception, debuting as the most-added single at country radio with 117 stations and landing in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart . Its music video, released in May 2019, featured live footage from Strait’s tour, marking his first official music video in a decade .
“Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” stands as a testament to George Strait’s enduring influence in country music, reflecting his ability to blend traditional sounds with contemporary themes.