LISTEN: Scotty McCreery Gives Nod to George Strait in ‘Damn Strait’ Single

Only a few days ahead of his fifth album release, Same Truck, Scotty McCreery dropped his single, “Damn Strait,” which draws inspiration from country music icon, George Strait.

Right off the bat, McCreery opens with an ode to Strait’s “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” off his 1986 album. 

“Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her/That was her favorite song/She sang along every time it came on,” he sings. 

This is the first of many Strait song titles that are perfectly intertwined into McCreery’s lyrics. “Marina Del Rey,” “Baby Blue,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Give It Away,” and “I Hate Everything” are also mentioned throughout the single. 

“The other day right out of a Blue Clear Sky/You came on in my truck/I couldn’t turn it off fast enough/I tried to get back in the game/But this ole heart just ain’t the same/Hell I can’t even Give It Away,” McCreery sings in the second verse. 

“Damn Strait” was only one of two songs McCreery did not write for his new record, although upon hearing the lyrics that honor one of his heroes, he was on board immediately.  This track was penned by Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins before being recorded by McCreery.

“Every now and then you hear a song that sounds so much like you,” recalls McCreery in a recent press release. “I grew up as a huge George Strait fan, and when I heard this song, I raised my hand to say, ‘I want this one.’ Every country fan has a George Strait story, and everyone has a memory attached to their favorite songs.” 

This single wraps up all of these emotions and more as he tells the story of a couple’s past as they previously bonded over the classic music of Strait. The lyrics are the perfect recipe for a song full of heartbreak, nostalgia, and all the hardship that comes with letting go of love. 

“The first country music concert I ever went to was George Strait, Reba and Lee Ann Womack.,” McCreery added. “When I saw that show, I said, ‘I’m gonna do that one day.’”

https://youtu.be/YaDtOWPOAbo

Although it’s tough to level up to one of the most legendary figures in country music, McCreery’s latest album has the same ability to resurrect a lifetime of memories and allow the chance for reflection. The North Carolina native does just that through this project, as each of the tracks represent where the 27-year-old is now personally, alongside wife Gabi, and also in his career, as he celebrates his 10th year as an entertainer.

The 12-track collection was produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis, who also produced his previous project, Seasons Change.

On the night of his album release, McCreery will take a brief detour from his scheduled tour to celebrate and reminisce, as he takes the stage of his former high school, South Garner High School, in North Carolina. The singer will continue with his You Time Tour on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Milwaukee WI for Summerfest.