f.“All my exes live in Texas.”hat cheeky little line first rang out in 1987 and quickly became one of George Strait’s signature hits.f
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Introduction
There are country songs that make you cry, and then there are the ones that make you grin the second that fiddle kicks in. George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” belongs firmly in the latter. Released in 1987 on his album Ocean Front Property, the tune became one of his most recognizable hits — not just because it’s clever, but because it’s George at his most playful.
The song tells the story of a man who has, let’s say, a complicated romantic history. All his ex-loves are still back in Texas, which is why he’s living in Tennessee. On paper, it sounds like heartache, but George delivers it with a wink and a smile. The clever wordplay, paired with his smooth baritone and the unmistakable Texas swing of the arrangement, turns it into pure fun. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to tap your boots on a dance floor, even if you’ve never two-stepped a day in your life.
What makes “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” special is how it shows off George’s lighthearted side. He wasn’t just the King of heart-wrenching ballads like “Amarillo by Morning” — he could also charm a crowd with humor, wit, and a little self-deprecation. And that balance is part of why his career has endured. He knew that country music could carry every emotion, from deep sorrow to playful mischief.
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Over time, the song became more than a radio hit. It turned into a staple of George’s live shows, where crowds would belt out the chorus as if it were their own confession. It’s been quoted in movies, parodied on TV, and even used as a kind of shorthand for George Strait himself. Few songs manage to be both timeless and tongue-in-cheek, but this one pulled it off.
At the end of the day, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” is proof that George Strait could take a lighthearted story and elevate it into a piece of country music history. It’s not just about lost loves — it’s about laughing through them, moving on, and dancing anyway.
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