Amarillo by Morning (song)

"Amarillo by Morning" is a country music song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and popularized by George Strait. It was originally recorded by Stafford in 1973 but did not achieve significant commercial success. Strait recorded the song for his 1982 album Strait from the Heart, and it became one of his signature tunes and a defining song of the neo-traditionalist country movement.

The song tells the story of a rodeo cowboy reflecting on his transient life, balancing the hardships and loneliness of the road with the thrill and passion of the rodeo circuit. Key themes include resilience, romantic loss, and the allure of the rodeo lifestyle. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the cowboy's travels, his experiences with love and heartbreak, and his determination to reach Amarillo, Texas, by morning.

Strait's rendition of "Amarillo by Morning" peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time by CMT. It remains a popular and enduring classic in the country music genre.