Get a taste of country music with the most popular songs about Texas! When we did a simple search of the songs about Texas, we got what we were expecting – over a hundred songs written about the place. But for the purpose of our list we chose only the most liked timeless classics that were written about Texas.
These are the songs that instantly take us down south and remind us of that familiar country twangs. Texas has probably inspired more songs than any other state, especially in country music. It is the home of many of the greatest country musicians and artists who haven’t restrained themselves in celebrating the place through their work. Of course, there are other states which have had hordes of songs written about them, like California, for instance, as you can see in our list of the 11 most popular songs about California. But none of them quite comes close to the spirit of music that Texas has sparked. There is something about the state and its roots in music that sets it apart from any other place.
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So here’s how we chose the songs to be featured on our most popular songs about Texas list – we took a close look at every song out there and ranked them by popularity. To measure up their popularity we assigned points according to their positions on the Billboard Charts, awards the song received, sales figures and their use in pop culture and number of covers made over the years.
Are we ready to reveal the most loved songs about the Lone Star state? If you are ready with your cowboy hats!
11. Luckenbach, TX – Waylon Jennings
Popularity Score: 10
The 1977 song by Waylon Jennings talks about a high society couple moving back to the small town of Luckenbach, Texas trying to make repair their strained relationship and re-discovering the “basics of love”.
10. Deep in the Heart of Texas – Bing Crosby
Popularity Score: 10
It doesn’t get any more Texas than this! “Deep in the Heart of Texas” is a toast to the Texas vibe as the song describes everything that is good about the Lone Star State. The catchy tune is hard to get out of your head and no wonder this one performed well on charts.
9. San Antonio Rose – Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys
Popularity Score: 10
The song was originally written by Bob Willis, but it was Bing Crosby’s version released in 1940 that made it popular. It went on to become the defining signature song of Bob Wills’ career.
8. Texas Women – Hank Williams Jr.
Popularity Score: 25
It’s hard to not mention Hank William Jr. when we are doing a list of the most popular songs about Texas. From his album “Rowdy”, this song went on to top the charts and had a glorious run for 10 weeks on it.
7. All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait
Popularity Score: 25
Oh well, now we know who has ex-girlfriends all over Texas. The song has some pop culture significance, being used in movies like “Road House”. It also topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart.
6. La Grange – ZZ Top
Popularity Score: 25
American band ZZ Top is well-known among country music lovers and “La Grange” is one of the best-known guitar songs of all time. The song has been used in many movies like Shanghai Noon and Armageddon among others and has also been covered several times over the years.
5. Amarillo by Morning – George Strait
Popularity Score: 31
It’s a staple at rodeo events and has reached number 12 on Country Music Television’s list of the best country songs of all time! “Amarillo by Morning” was originally recorded by Stafford, but as a cover it became a great hit for country veteran George Strait.
4. Texas Flood – Stevie Ray Vaughn
Popularity Score: 35
The blues standard was recorded by Larry Davis in 1958, but it was the blue guitar God Stevie Ray Vaughn who really immortalized it. The song has been covered by many blues guitar players around the world.
3. Galveston, Glen Campbell
Popularity Score: 35
“Galveston” owned the charts during its heyday and has been ranked number 8 on CMT’s 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music. The song is about a soldier reminiscing about his time in his hometown Galveston and his beloved one.
2. El Paso – Marty Robbins
Popularity Score: 35
The country ballad rocked charts in its time, won Grammies and went on to become one the classics in the country-western genre. It tells a cowboy’s story with the quintessential Spanish guitar strains and Tex-Mex vibe ringing through the song.
1. The Yellow Rose of Texas – Mitch Miller
Popularity Score: 50
The folk song has its roots as far back as 1853 and has stood the test of time. Since then it has been covered by some of the greatest including Elvis Presley and Mitch Miller. Its evergreen spirit is what makes this the winner amongst the most popular songs about Texas.
