Introduction
“You Look So Good in Love” is a country ballad penned by Glen Ballard, Rory Bourke, and Kerry Chater and recorded by George Strait. It was released on September 22, 1983 as the lead single from Strait’s album Right or Wrong and was produced by Ray Baker . The recording took place on July 20, 1983 at Woodland Studios in Nashville .
Lyrically, the song narrates the emotional experience of a man who observes his former lover glowing in a new romance. Although he feels pangs of regret and sadness—realizing she’s found joy with someone else—he also arrives at a moment of acceptance, acknowledging that he wasn’t the one to make her truly happy . Its chorus, repeating the line “You look so good in love,” encapsulates that bittersweet admixture of admiration and personal heartache as the narrator sees her flourish in another’s arms.
Upon release, the song debuted at #31 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking Strait’s highest debut to that date . By January 7, 1984, it had climbed to #1 on Billboard’s country chart, becoming his third career chart-topper .
The music video for the song was Strait’s first, but he disliked its slow pace and romantic theme so much that he had it withdrawn from rotation—and subsequently declined to film videos for years . Critics have noted the track’s dated ’80s soft‑keyboard sheen—what one review colorfully described as “like a cheese‑grater grating extra cheese”—yet highlighted Strait’s heartfelt vocal delivery and the strength of its melody, calling it among his most enduring early hits .
Despite its referential production style, the simplicity and emotional clarity of “You Look So Good in Love” helped cement George Strait’s reputation for storytelling sincerity and traditional country elegance. It remains a beloved classic in country music and a defining early milestone in Strait’s storied career.