Introduction
“Amarillo By Morning” galloped onto the country music scene in 1982, but its roots stretch back a decade earlier. Songwriters Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser penned the ballad in 1973. Stafford even released his own country-pop rendition, but it achieved only modest success.
The song landed in the right hands when it reached George Strait, a rising star in the neotraditionalist movement. Strait, a Texas native himself, brought a whole new dimension to the song. His version, released in 1982 on his album “Strait From The Heart,” leaned heavily on the fiddle, creating a distinctive Western sound.
This resonated with audiences. “Amarillo By Morning” became a breakout hit, propelling Strait further into the spotlight and securing his place as a country music icon. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and stayed there for three weeks.
“Amarillo By Morning” transcended the charts. It became a signature song for Strait, a staple at his concerts, and a beloved part of the country music canon. Critics lauded it, with Billboard and American Songwriter ranking it among Strait’s greatest works.
So, as you listen to the opening twang of the fiddle, prepare to be transported to the dusty plains of Texas. This isn’t just a song, it’s a journey – a tale of heartbreak, resilience, and a man leaving his past behind, all under the vast Texan sky, with Amarillo waiting by morning.
Video