Amarillo By Morning by George Strait

Album: Strait From The Heart (1982)

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Songfacts®:

This rodeo ballad is George Strait's most famous song and the one he played most often in concert, but he's not the original artist. "Amarillo By Morning" was first recorded by Terry Stafford, who took it to #31 on the Country chart in 1973.

Stafford, who lived in Amarillo, Texas, wrote the song with another singer-songwriter named Paul Fraser. According to Fraser, who told the story of the song in the book The Stories Behind Country Music's All-Time Greatest 100 Songs, the title was inspired by a Fed Ex (known at the time as Federal Express) commercial Stafford saw that promised to deliver packages the next morning to places like Amarillo. Stafford had played a show in San Antonio and made the drive back to Amarillo, which inspired the opening line:

Amarillo by morning
Up from San Antone

Stafford called Fraser with the idea, and together they hashed out the song. The song built a following in Texas, particularly on the rodeo circuit, and was covered by a handful of artists, including Charlie Russell, Terry Bullar and Kelly Schoppa, before George Strait released his iconic cover in 1982.
Despite being Strait's most famous tune, "Amarillo By Morning" is not one of his record 44 #1 singles - it peaked at #4 on the Country chart.

It's one of George Strait's earliest songs. He included it on his second album, Strait From The Heart, in 1982, when he was on the rise but by no means a superstar. It was the third single from the album, following "Fool Hearted Memory" and "Marina del Rey." "Fool Hearted Memory" was Strait's first #1 Country hit; his second was "A Fire I Can't Put Out," the fourth single from Strait From The Heart.
George Strait isn't a rodeo rider but he is from Texas. His fiddle-heavy version of "Amarillo By Morning" helped define his classic country sound, a throwback to the likes of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. He stayed in this lane his whole career, riding out the "new country" wave of the '90s and sticking with a traditional sound.
The country singer Chris LeDoux, who was also a rodeo champion, covered this song in 1975. LeDoux was still a working cowboy and would sell his album, which he released himself, at rodeos and by mail order. Many of his songs from this time deal with life on the rodeo circuit and the hard-fought freedom "Amarillo By Morning" celebrates.
Before George Strait recorded this song, John Fisher produced Terry Bullard's version in 1980. He also produced Terry Stafford's version in the '70s. Both Terrys lived in close proximity of each other in Los Angeles when Stafford asked Bullard to re-record "Amarillo By Morning."
The line, "I'll be looking for eight when they pull that gate" refers to the eight seconds a rodeo rider must stay on the bull for the ride to count.
Spike Jonze released a documentary about rodeo riders in 1998 that he titled Amarillo by Morning.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood had some fun with this song when they hosted the 2013 CMA Awards. After Paisley pretends to "twerk" his back, Underwood tries to sign him up for Obamacare, which had a notoriously glitchy website. They open a laptop, and while they're waiting for the site to load, they start singing: "Obamacare by morning... why is this taking so long?"

Comments: 23

AnonymousIf he re-released it now it be #1
Gt from Peoria, IlI still remember the first time I ever heard this song. It was on the radio as we passed through Louisville, KY. It had to be Terry Stafford’s original version, as we were returning to Ohio from a long 4th of July weekend in 1974. I was not a big fan of country music as a kid, but I remember thinking what a good song that was. And, of course, George Strait’s remake was fantastic.
Tracey from Albuquerque NmThe verse Lost my wife and a girlfriend Was he cheating or he lost both during his time in the rodeo Where at one time he lost a Wife and another time a girlfriend?
Jack from SeattleI think Terry Stafford wrote this song. Lots of covers out there including George Strait of course.
Major Lance from Riverside, IlThe Mongolian Cowboy’s TV version was awesome!
Troy Hess from Houston,texasWhat most people do not realize is that Strait's version was directly influenced by a 1978 version by local Houston artist named Kelly Schoppa! In 78', Kelly's version, which was on the local Bellaire Records label here in Houston, was on just about every jukebox from Beaumont to El Paso, Galveston to Texarkana, & all parts in between! Straits goes as far as mentioning in an interview I read that : " A local Texas artist had a regional hit on Amarillo, & we used to do it all the time!" The version Strait did back then was much more in line with Schoppa's version than his 1981 release on MCA. And even more peculiar is that Schoppa came out with another song called: " Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" which was later covered by Strait! And the last & final record that Schoppa recorded & released on Bellaire was called " Drinkin' Champagne" in which Strait covered him again! For a national artist to cover 3 of a local/ regional artist's songs like that is all but unheard of! It's just a shame that Strait NEVER gave Kelly any credit before his recent death!
T.H.
Jennifur Sun from RamonaGene Elders fiddle just makes this song.
Megan from Stevenson, AlOh my...I've always loved his music. He's such a great musician.
Camille from Toronto, OhI'm not a big George Strait fan. I mean, he's okay. I like some of his music, not all. But this song, "Amarillo by Morning" is just beautiful; lyrically, melodically, emotionally. His voice breathes the perfect life into the song.
Mark from Rochester, NyYes Ken, this song was written by Terry Stafford of "Suspicion" fame.
Joel from Wheeling, WvGreat song. The video is cool too. George Strait is a member of the PRCA and hosts a heading/heeling contest every fall.
Cas from Iron City , GaI love the fiddle in Amarillo By Morning. This is actually my favorite fiddle piece.
Terry from Austin, TxThank you Brett in Des Moines, IA - This is Terry Bullard...and it is nice to see when people recognize my music. You can check out my myspace page - not sure if the link will work here...but go to Myspace and look my name up under the music section! Thanks again....Terry
Brett from Des Moines, IaI knew this song from a bar in El Paso TX by Terry Bullard many years before King George did it. I like Terry's version better.
Dave from Scottsdale, AzI once worked with a guy named Phil who later drank himself to death. He used to occasionally burst into song "Amaretto by morning".
Tyrone Collins from Chicago, IlThis is one of my all time favorite songs
Grace from Conway, Army roommate from amarillo in college hated this, too (i like it as well as "am i blue"). i'd love to read about the latter, songfacts. thanks!
Tyrell Neidhardt from Richardton, NdAmarillo by Morning is a great song
but Chris Ledoux did it first and did it better
Chris Ledoux lived the roughstock life and can sing it from his own experience
Carol from St.augustine, FlI love this song! I think its one of George Strait's best ever. The music and the way he sings it is just awesome!
Jenny from Amarillo, TxI live in Amarillo, Tx and I have always hated this song.
Carissa from Seattle, WaThis song was orginally played on a radio station sort of like their tagline. Even though Strait had not even finished the song.
Ken from Brantford, CanadaMy all-time fave modern country hit as well.The lonesome Texas fiddle solo still gives me a chill all these years on. I was wondering though.Is that Terry Stafford by chance the same one who had a sixites hit with Suspicion,the Elvis soundalike?
Chad from Kenedy, Txit is tha nuber 1 country song in my books. i love this song. George Strait is awesome.

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