Introduction
The Songs That Slipped Away: Three Classics That Nearly Belonged to George Strait
For more than four decades, George Strait has been known as The King of Country. With dozens of No. 1 hits, timeless ballads, and a voice that seems permanently tied to the soul of Texas, his career is often described as one of the most consistent success stories in country music history. Yet even kings occasionally pass on treasures.
In the world of Nashville songwriting, artists hear hundreds—sometimes thousands—of songs before choosing which ones to record. Sometimes a tune simply doesn’t feel right at the moment. Other times it arrives just a little too early or a little too late. And occasionally, a song an artist passes on goes on to become a massive hit for someone else.
Even George Strait, whose instincts have guided him through decades of chart success, has experienced those rare moments of musical “what if.” Here are three beloved country songs that might have carried his signature baritone—if he had chosen to record them.
A Whiskey-Soaked Classic: Tennessee Whiskey
Today, it is nearly impossible to imagine Chris Stapleton without the haunting opening notes of “Tennessee Whiskey.” The song has become a modern country standard, beloved for its soulful delivery and rich emotional warmth.
But long before Stapleton transformed it into a slow-burning masterpiece, the song passed through the hands of one of George Strait’s most trusted collaborators—legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.
Dillon, who wrote many of Strait’s greatest hits—including “The Chair” and “Unwound”—co-wrote “Tennessee Whiskey” with Linda Hargrove. Naturally, it was pitched to Strait.
Yet for reasons that remain somewhat mysterious, the song never quite captured his attention at the time.
Years later, Strait himself admitted he may have let a great one slip through his fingers. During a 2017 Facebook Live conversation with Kacey Musgraves, he reflected on songs he had turned down.
“There was a couple,” he said with a smile. “But the biggest one was probably ‘Tennessee Whiskey.’ I missed that one.”
The song eventually became a defining hit for Chris Stapleton. His blues-infused interpretation resonated across genres, reaching far beyond traditional country audiences. The recording went on to achieve historic success, becoming one of the most streamed country songs of the modern era.
Still, for longtime fans of George Strait, it’s fascinating to imagine how that smoky melody might have sounded carried by the King of Country himself.
A Barroom Anthem That Found Its Voice: Friends in Low Places
Few songs capture the spirit of country music quite like “Friends in Low Places.” It’s the kind of song that fills arenas, bars, and backyard gatherings alike. The moment the first line begins, crowds sing every word.
But the song’s journey to superstardom involved another unexpected detour through George Strait’s orbit.
When the demo was first recorded, the singer behind it was Garth Brooks—then an unknown artist hoping to make a name for himself. And interestingly enough, Brooks had a very specific inspiration in mind.
He later explained that he deliberately tried to sound like George Strait during the recording.
“The reason they asked me to do the demo,” Brooks once shared, “was because I wanted to be George Strait for years. So I could do a pretty good imitation of him.”
Whether by coincidence or fate, the song never landed in Strait’s catalog. Instead, it became the defining anthem of Garth Brooks’ meteoric rise.
Released in 1990, “Friends in Low Places” became one of the most iconic country songs of all time. It transformed Brooks into a stadium-filling superstar and became a permanent fixture in American country culture.
Years later, in a touching full-circle moment, George Strait joined Brooks—along with Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line—for a special version of the song included in Brooks’ box set The Ultimate Collection.
For fans, it felt like witnessing an alternate history finally come to life.
The Song That Found a New Home: Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
The third story may be the most surprising of all, because George Strait actually recorded the song first.
Written by Marty Dodson and Jim Collins, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” was initially pitched to Strait and quickly recorded as a demo for his consideration.
Songwriter Marty Dodson later recalled the emotional rollercoaster that followed.
“We demoed it, we pitched it. George Strait cut it pretty quickly,” he explained in an interview. “Then about two months later they told us George decided not to put it on his record.”
For the writers, the news felt devastating. Having the King of Country record your song is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But country music has a funny way of writing its own endings.
At some point during that time, George Strait played the song for Kenny Chesney on his tour bus. When Chesney later learned that Strait wasn’t planning to release the track after all, he reached out to the songwriters.
The result was a chart-topping success.
Released in 2008, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” climbed to No. 1 on the country charts and became one of Kenny Chesney’s signature hits.
What began as heartbreak for the songwriters ultimately turned into triumph.
The Wisdom of a King
Stories like these reveal something deeply human about even the most legendary artists. Choosing songs is never a perfect science. Timing, emotion, and instinct all play a role.
For George Strait, passing on a few hits never slowed his remarkable journey. With more No. 1 singles than any other artist in country music history and a career that spans generations, his legacy remains unmatched.
If anything, these near-misses only add another layer to his story. They remind us that even the greatest voices cannot sing every song—and sometimes the music simply finds the artist who was meant to carry it.
And perhaps that’s the quiet beauty of country music: every song has a road to travel before it finds its home.