"Unwound" 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 Frank Dycus. It was recorded by American country music

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...

 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...

 and was released in April 1981 as his debut single and the lead-off single to his 1981 debut album Strait Country

Strait Country

Strait Country is the debut album of American country music artist George Strait. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA and it includes the singles "Unwound", "Down and Out", and "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger "...

. It peaked at #6 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Background

Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus originally wrote the song for Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck was the legal name of Donald Eugene Lytle , a country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"...

. But, Paycheck was in jail at the time. Record producer Blake Mevis drove over to Dillon's house in 1980, where Dillon and Dycus were writing songs on the front porch, and asked them if they had any new songs for a 'new kid from Texas.' Since Paycheck wouldn't be using it, the gave the song to Mevis for George Strait. Dillon has gone on to write or co-write over 40 songs that have been recorded by Strait.

Content

The song is about a man having issues with his woman. He’s out drinking and everything is coming unwound.

Critical reception

Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade, saying that it "would be a great record just for the fiddle alone, but a very youthful Strait is still able to deliver the goods, and the band is so country that you can almost smell the sawdust when they let loose."

Chart positions

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks	6