"Lead On" is the title of a song written by Dean Dillon

Dean Dillon

Dean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...

 and Teddy Gentry, and recorded by American country music artist 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...

. It was released in June 1995 as the fourth and final single from his album Lead On

Lead On

Lead On is the title of an album released by American country music artist George Strait. Released in 1994 on MCA Records, the album was certified platinum in the U.S. for sales of one million copies...

. The song reached #7 on the Billboard

Billboard (magazine)

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

Hot Country Singles & Tracks

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...

 chart in September 1995.

Content

The song is a ballad which at first seems to indicate the beginnings of a love affair. As the song continues into the second verse however, it is revealed that the man and the woman had already in fact been lovers and his appearance in this new town is his admission to being a fool and an offer to settle down.

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard

Billboard (magazine)

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "slow and pretty ballad." She goes on to say that Strait is the "master of subtle country love songs, and he delivers the goods on this lovely ballad."

Chart performance

"Lead On" debuted at number 67 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of June 24, 1995.

Chart (1995)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	7
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	8