3 Country Songs From the 1970s That Reference Texas Towns

Some of the best songs reference particular places and moments. When it comes to country music, Texas is one of those places that gets mentioned a lot. If you’re from Texas and you love classic country from the 1970s, these songs are for you.

“Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)” by Waylon Jennings

This song was released in 1977 and written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons. In this song, the singer wants to embrace a simpler lifestyle, which he believes he will find in Luckenbach, Texas.

Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we’re livin’
Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys
Between Hank Williams’ pain songs and
Newberry’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain’t nobody feelin’ no pain.

“Amarillo By Morning” by Terry Stafford

Most people likely know George Strait‘s version of this song. Terry Stafford is actually one of the people who wrote “Amarillo By Morning” and was also the first to put a version of it out in 1973. Like other Strait songs, “Amarillo By Morning” tells the story of a rodeo cowboy who’s traveling from one part of the country to another. His destination in this song happens to be Amarillo, Texas. Stafford was actually inspired by a FedEx commercial for this song. He explained this to Paul Fraser, who took the idea from there.

“San Antonio Stroll” by Tanya Tucker

“San Antonio Stroll” was the second single to be released for Tanya Tucker’s self-titled album. Tucker was born in Seminole, Texas. This song is an ode to growing up, traditional country dances, and, of course, Texas. This isn’t Tucker’s only song referencing her home state, either. “Texas, When I Die”, a cover of hers that was released in the late 70s, also honors the state. In “San Antonio Stroll”, Tucker sings about dancing like it’s a rite of passage when going from childhood to adulthood.

When my folks would come home
They’d be hummin’ a song
Mama’d smile and say, “Child don’tcha know
There ain’t a thing in this world
To make you fall in love girl
Like the San Antonio Stroll.”

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