Lifestyle

Top 10 Country Songs About Texas

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Written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons and recorded by Waylon Jennings, ‘Luckenback Texas’ was released in 1977 as first single from the album ‘Ol’ Waylon.’ Its references to a strained marriage due in part to high finances and a basic process of “keepin’ up with the Joneses” is still relatable to this day (as can be witnessed with the popularity of the cover recording by Kenny Chesney and Kid Rock on the album ‘I’ve Always Been Crazy: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings,’ 2003.)

7. Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind – George Strait

For his third appearance on this list (can you blame us?!) ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ was recorded by George Strait in 1984 and won the Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year as well as Song of the Year. Also the title of his fourth studio album, the song met with great success on the charts in the US and started off with one of the most memorable opening lines in contemporary country music.

8. Lonestar Beer and Bob Wills Music – Red Steagall –

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Photo: www.rfdcc.com

A hit for Red Steagall in 1976 from the album of the same name, ‘Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music’ rose to number 11 on the US country music charts and still higher in the state of Texas (surprise, surprise!). It’s made this list due to its truisms, fan devotion and all around appeal, not to mention that the man behind the song itself epitomizes American cowboy culture, which Texas is ultimately silly with. Actor, musician, poet laureate and general ambassador for the American western and country music genres, you can’t get much more Texan than Red Steagall!

9. Houston Solution – Ronnie Milsap

Written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by Ronnie Milsap, ‘Houston Solution’ was released in April 1989 as the second single from the album ‘Stranger Things Have Happened.’ It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and features heart wrenching lyrics mixed with timely ’80s steel guitar magic by Texas-born Weldon Myrick, credited with creating ‘the sound’ for country greats like Connie Smith, and providing supporting sounds for Bill Anderson, Jerry Jeff Walker (another notable Texan), Donna Fargo, Linda Rondstadt, Alan Jackson and George Strait. Myrick’s style together with Milsap’s rendition of ‘Houston Solution’ fits the bill for the ultimate Texas-sized torch song.

10. Blame it on Texas – Mark Chesnutt

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Photo: www.hippowallpapers.com

Mark Chesnutt, Texan by birth and proud of it, released ‘Blame it on Texas’ in 1991 as the third single from his debut album ‘Too Cold at Home.’ It charted at #5 in the US and higher still in other countries, and was also featured in the soundtrack to the movie ‘8 Seconds.’ The lyrics as much as the melody are the reason for this song making it in the number 10 spot on this list in which the protagonist travels throughout the country but continues to extol the virtues of his home state of Texas, all the while naturally speaking in the vernacular. ‘Blame it on Texas’ is of course the reason for this list – what’s not to love if not the Lonestar State?!

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