“Amarillo by Morning” – Single by George Strait from the album Strait from the Heart
B-side “Lover in Disguise”
Released January 14, 1983
Label MCA 52162
Songwriter Paul Fraser and Terry Stafford
Producer Blake Mevis
Charted mp 4 in US Hot Country Songs (Billboard).
Few songs in country music resonate as deeply as “Amarillo by Morning.” Written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, this heartfelt ballad found its ultimate champion in George Strait, who transformed it into a timeless anthem in 1983. Today, the song stands as one of Strait’s signature hits, celebrated for its vivid storytelling, Western charm, and emotional depth.
George Strait recorded “Amarillo by Morning” for his second studio album, Strait from the Heart, in 1982. His rendition was released as a single on January 14, 1983, and climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Country chart. While it never reached the coveted No. 1 spot, the song became one of Strait’s most iconic tracks, forever cementing his legacy as the “King of Country.”
“Amarillo by Morning” is widely considered to be one of Strait’s best songs. Billboard and American Songwriter ranked the song number nine and number six, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest George Strait songs. In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at number ten on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade, saying that he has “finally found his niche as a performer.” He goes on to say that the “simple arrangement and understated delivery are the defining elements of just about every Strait record since.”
