George Strait doesn't just sing songs. He colonizes them. Honestly, if you hear a track on the radio and it sounds like pure Texas gold, there is a fifty-fifty chance it started its life in someone else's notebook or on a dusty B-side years before "The King" got his hands on it. People always ask about a dedicated George Strait cover album, and while he hasn't released a project exclusively titled "The Covers," his entire 31-album discography is basically a masterclass in the art of the reimagined classic.
Take his latest record, Cowboys and Dreamers, released in late 2024. Most fans were buzzing about the Chris Stapleton collaboration. But tucked toward the end is a gritty, respectful take on Waylon Jennings’ "Waymore’s Blues." He isn't trying to out-Waylon Waylon. He just leans into that shuffle, lets the fiddle breathe, and suddenly it feels like a George Strait original. That’s the trick.
The George Strait Cover Album Logic
You won't find a disc in his catalog that says "George Sings the Hits of the 70s." That isn't his style. Instead, he treats every album like a curated gallery. He mixes brand-new demos from songwriters like Dean Dillon with songs that have already been around the block.
Think about "Amarillo by Morning." Most folks don't even realize that’s a cover. Terry Stafford recorded it first in 1973. It was a fine song then, but when Strait cut it for Strait from the Heart in 1982, it became the definitive rodeo anthem. He took a song about a lonely cowboy and turned it into a piece of American architecture.
Why he picks what he picks
Strait is notoriously picky. He doesn't care if a song is a "hit" for someone else. He cares about the "danceability" and the "story."
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- The Honky Tonk Factor: If it doesn't work with a two-step, he’s probably out.
- The Vibe: He gravitates toward "sad-happy" songs. You know the ones—where the lyrics are depressing but the melody makes you want to order another round.
- Legacy: He uses his platform to keep guys like Merle Haggard and Bob Wills alive for the younger generation.
In 2019, on the Honky Tonk Time Machine album, he covered Johnny Paycheck’s "Old Violin." It’s a heavy song. It’s about aging and feeling like an instrument that’s lost its tune. Hearing a man of Strait’s stature sing those words—knowing he’s been at the top for over forty years—gives the track a weight that Paycheck’s version (as great as it was) didn't quite carry in the same way.
Breaking Down the "Hidden" Covers
If we were to assemble a theoretical George Strait cover album from his existing work, the tracklist would be intimidating. He’s covered everyone from Tom Petty to Delbert McClinton.
He did "Stars on the Water" by Rodney Crowell on The Road Less Traveled. It’s got this weird, almost experimental tropical vibe that was totally different for George back in 2001. Then you’ve got his version of "Wrapped" by Bruce Robison. Bruce is a legendary Texas songwriter, but George’s velvet voice took that song to the top of the charts in 2007.
There is a nuance to how he approaches these. He doesn't do "karaoke."
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He changes the key. He brings in the Ace in the Hole Band. He ensures the steel guitar is front and center. When he covered "I Just Want to Dance with You" by John Prine, he took a quirky folk tune and turned it into a massive tropical-country crossover. Prine reportedly loved the royalties, and honestly, who wouldn't?
The 2026 Connection
As we move into 2026, the rumors of a "legacy" project are swirling. With his massive stadium show at Clemson’s Death Valley scheduled for May 2026, fans are speculating if he might finally drop a formal collection of his favorite country standards.
He’s already been inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame and is getting the Kennedy Center Honors. At this stage of his career, he has nothing left to prove. A full-blown tribute record—maybe covering the artists who influenced him at Poteet High School—would be the ultimate "thank you" to the genre.
What You Should Listen To Right Now
If you’re looking for that George Strait cover album feel without waiting for a new release, you have to dig into the deep cuts. Don't just stick to the 50 Number Ones collection.
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- "Waymore’s Blues" (Cowboys and Dreamers, 2024): The most recent example of him tipping his hat to the Outlaw era.
- "Seashores of Old Mexico": Originally a Merle Haggard tune. George makes it sound like a permanent vacation.
- "The Cowboy Rides Away": Originally by John Anderson. George liked it so much he named his entire retirement tour after it.
- "Milk Cow Blues": A tribute to the Western Swing roots of Bob Wills.
Basically, George is a thief of the best kind. He steals songs and gives them a permanent home where they’ll never be forgotten.
If you want to experience the "King" in his element, start by making a playlist of his versions of Haggard, Wills, and Jennings tracks. You’ll see that he isn't just covering them; he’s keeping the traditional country heartbeat steady in a world that’s increasingly digital.
Go back and listen to the original Terry Stafford version of "Amarillo by Morning." Then listen to George’s 1982 version. Then find a live recording from his 2024 Kyle Field show. You’ll hear the evolution of a song that George Strait essentially "borrowed" and then owned forever. It's not just about the notes; it's about the fact that he makes you believe he wrote every single word himself. That’s the real magic of a George Strait cover.