OldiesButGoodies

Country

George Strait & Alan Jackson – Amarillo By Morning

George Strait and Alan Jackson - Amarillo By Morning (LIVE)

Introduction:

Amarillo By Morning, a country music duet that etched its place in the genre’s history, brought together two of its reigning stars: George Strait and Alan Jackson. Released in 1990, the song found its home on Strait’s studio album “Livin’ It Up”. The album’s producer, Tony Brown, a country music veteran himself with credits alongside artists like Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire, helped craft the sonic landscape for the soon-to-be hit.

Amarillo By Morning wasn’t just a hit, it was a chart-topping sensation. It climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remained there for a commanding four weeks. The song’s influence extended beyond the country genre, making a strong showing on the all-encompassing Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 12. This crossover success solidified the widespread appeal of both Strait and Jackson and the enduring power of country music.

The lyrics of Amarillo By Morning paint a melancholic yet evocative picture. The narrator, a down-on-his-luck traveler, leaves Amarillo, Texas, at the break of dawn. The imagery of the lonesome highway stretching out before him intertwines with his regrets about a failed relationship. The song’s simple yet effective storytelling resonated with listeners, making it a relatable and timeless country ballad.

Amarillo By Morning‘s impact wasn’t limited to the charts. The song became a staple of George Strait’s live performances, often finding a place in his setlists. Notably, a duet version with Alan Jackson during Strait’s 2014 farewell concert, “The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium”, added another layer to the song’s legacy. This live rendition showcased the camaraderie between the two country giants and further cemented Amarillo By Morning as a cornerstone of both artists’ careers.

The enduring popularity of Amarillo By Morning lies in its ability to capture the essence of country music. It tells a relatable story through vivid imagery, all wrapped in a classic country melody. The pairing of George Strait’s signature smooth vocals with Alan Jackson’s distinctive tenor creates a truly special listening experience. Amarillo By Morning serves not only as a testament to the individual talents of Strait and Jackson, but also to the enduring power of country music to connect with listeners through heartfelt storytelling.

Video:

https://youtu.be/BCF7487MGhY?si=mCNvhCd8s2ivN5bK

Lyrics:

Amarillo by mornin’Up from San AntoneEverything that I gotIs just what I’ve got on
When that Sun is highIn that Texas skyI’ll be buckin’ at the county fairAmarillo by mornin’Amarillo I’ll be there
They took my saddle in HoustonBroke my leg in Santa FeLost my wife and a girlfriendSomewhere along the way
But I’ll be lookin’ for eightWhen they pull that gateAnd I hope thatJudge ain’t blindAmarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s on my mind
Amarillo by mornin’Up from San AntoneEverything that I gotIs just what I’ve got on
I ain’t got a dimeBut what I’ve got is mineI ain’t richBut Lord, I’m free
Amarillo by mornin’Amarillo’s where I’ll beAmarillo by mornin’Amarillo’s where I’ll be

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Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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