George Strait has such an impressive body of work. He is also insanely popular. Even so, some of his songs just never got the traction they deserved. Sometimes songs do fall between the cracks and need to be resurrected. So without further ado, we are honored to present these four George Strait songs that need a little more love.
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'If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger (There's One Coming Home)'
Per Whiskey Riff, "Written by Blake Mevis and David Wills, [this song] was released by King George as the final single from his debut album Strait Country in 1982...When folks start rattling of their favorite George Strait hits, this one rarely (if ever) comes up, but I'm telling you, one listen and that'll change." The song describes how the narrator knows he has been inattentive to his woman. He sincerely vows to set things right with opulent gifts like a silk gown, perfume, roses, and champagne. This is vintage George Strait all the way.
'Blue Clear Sky'
The sweet backstory of how this song came to be is absolutely priceless. According to The Tennessean, one of its songwriters, Bob DiPiero, told the outlet that right before he and co-writers Mark D. Sanders and John Jarrard got together to craft this gem, he saw the film Forrest Gump. And something Gump said stuck firmly in Di Piero's mind. The lovable chameleon-like character used a peculiarly inverted phrase, "blue clear sky." And it became the heart of this song. It soared to the number 1 position on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
'The Fireman'
This sassy, cheeky tune is about how the narrator gallantly comes to the rescue when local damsels are hot under the collar, so to speak. It may be too cutesy by half for some people, but the singer makes it good old rambunctious country fun. Judge by the lyrics:
"...Well, my buddy walked out
And left his woman burnin' out of control
Well, I was down there in 'bout an hour or so
With a little mouth to mouth, she was ready to go
I'm the fireman, that's my name...."
It's on Strait's album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
'Blame It On Mexico'
The narrator is south of the border, where he is beguiled by a temptress with whom he falls in love. She leaves him flat, and he places the blame on Mexico. The specific culprits, according to the lyrics, are "too much guitar music, tequila, salt and lime...." I immediately thought of Jimmy Buffett when I read the words to this song. Sort of "trouble in paradise" type of thing. Strait, as is his usual wont, pulls it off well, mainly due to his extremely likable and relatable persona. He may be A King of Country Music, but he's a man of the people.
