Amarillo by Morning (song)
Encyclopedia
"Amarillo by Morning" is a country music
song written by Terry Stafford
and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait
.
, and then driving back to his home in Amarillo, Texas
.
with the Master number 26867. The single "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
" had been previously released as an A-side 45 (Atlantic Master 26868; June 7, 1973), but due to the success of "Amarillo by Morning", the single was re-released October 4, 1973 as the A-side (Atlantic Master 26867-1 stereo and Atlantic Master 26867-2 mono), with "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" on the B-side. The song entered the Cash Box Country Looking Ahead chart November 3, 1973, the Cash Box Country chart on December 15, 1973, peaking at #37, the Billboard Country chart December 1, 1973, peaking at #31, the Record World Country chart December 15, 1973, peaking at #50, and Canada RPM Country chart January 26, 1974, peaking at #38.
The song has been covered
by numerous artists, including rodeo champion Chris LeDoux
in 1975 on his album Life as a Rodeo Man, Terry Bullard, Kelly Schoppa, Asleep at the Wheel
, in 1981 by San Angelo based band Arroyo, and more recently by Clifton Jansky. A cover was also recorded by John Arthur Martinez
on his 2004 album Lone Starry Night. Brazilian singer Zé Ramalho
has also recorded the song.
covered the song in 1982. It appeared on Strait's 1982 album Strait from the Heart
(LP MCA 5320). It was released on MCA
as a single, release number 52162. The publisher's release was January 14, 1983, and the full release came February 16, 1983. The single entered the Billboard Country chart February 12, 1983, peaking at #4.
s. The song was named "#12 country song of all-time" by Country Music Television
. Development Counsellors International
and USA Today
named the song one of the top ten songs about a place, number 7.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song written by Terry Stafford
Terry Stafford
Terry LaVerne Stafford was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1964 U.S. Top 10 hit, "Suspicion", and the 1973 country music hit, "Amarillo by Morning".-Biography:...
and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973. Several cover versions have since been made, including a major 1980s hit for George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
.
Content
Stafford conceived of the song after playing with his band at a rodeo in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, and then driving back to his home in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
.
Releases
Stafford recorded the song on his Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose album, released in 1973. The single was released August 2, 1973, by Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
with the Master number 26867. The single "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
"Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" is a 1973 song by the American pop music group Tony Orlando and Dawn. The song was written by Irwin Levine and L...
" had been previously released as an A-side 45 (Atlantic Master 26868; June 7, 1973), but due to the success of "Amarillo by Morning", the single was re-released October 4, 1973 as the A-side (Atlantic Master 26867-1 stereo and Atlantic Master 26867-2 mono), with "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" on the B-side. The song entered the Cash Box Country Looking Ahead chart November 3, 1973, the Cash Box Country chart on December 15, 1973, peaking at #37, the Billboard Country chart December 1, 1973, peaking at #31, the Record World Country chart December 15, 1973, peaking at #50, and Canada RPM Country chart January 26, 1974, peaking at #38.
The song has been covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by numerous artists, including rodeo champion Chris LeDoux
Chris LeDoux
Chris Ledoux was an American country music singer-songwriter, bronze sculptor and rodeo champion.During his career LeDoux recorded 36 albums which have sold more than six million units in the United States as of January 2007...
in 1975 on his album Life as a Rodeo Man, Terry Bullard, Kelly Schoppa, Asleep at the Wheel
Asleep at the Wheel
Asleep at the Wheel is a American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, but based in Austin, Texas. Altogether, they have won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception. In their career, they have released more than twenty studio albums, and have charted more than twenty...
, in 1981 by San Angelo based band Arroyo, and more recently by Clifton Jansky. A cover was also recorded by John Arthur Martinez
John Arthur Martinez
John Arthur Martinez is an American country music artist. Martinez finished in second place on the first season of the USA Network talent show Nashville Star...
on his 2004 album Lone Starry Night. Brazilian singer Zé Ramalho
Zé Ramalho
Zé Ramalho is a Brazilian composer and performer. Zé Ramalho has collaborated with various major Brazilian musicians, including Vanusa, Geraldo Azevedo and Alceu Valença to name a few...
has also recorded the song.
George Strait version
George StraitGeorge Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
covered the song in 1982. It appeared on Strait's 1982 album Strait from the Heart
Strait from the Heart
Strait From the Heart is the second studio album from American country music artist George Strait. It is certified platinum by the RIAA. The album includes George's first Number One single, "Fool Hearted Memory", as well as the singles "Marina del Rey", "Amarillo by Morning" and "A Fire I Can't Put...
(LP MCA 5320). It was released on MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
as a single, release number 52162. The publisher's release was January 14, 1983, and the full release came February 16, 1983. The single entered the Billboard Country chart February 12, 1983, peaking at #4.
Critical reception
Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade, saying that he has "finally found his niche as a performer." He goes on to say that the "simple arrangement and understated delivery are the defining elements of just about every Strait record since."Chart performance
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
Legacy
The song is regularly played at rodeoRodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
s. The song was named "#12 country song of all-time" by Country Music Television
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
. Development Counsellors International
Development Counsellors International
Development Counsellors International, also known as DCI, is a place marketing firm based in New York City that specializes in economic development and travel marketing, and investment lead generation services...
and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
named the song one of the top ten songs about a place, number 7.