Released in 2008, this poignant title track serves as a fitting crown jewel for Strait’s remarkable career.
Background
Strait, by 2008, was already a legend. Nicknamed “The King of Country” for a reason, he had amassed a collection of chart-topping hits spanning decades. His signature style – a smooth, understated vocal delivery backed by tight instrumentation – had captivated audiences and redefined the sound of country music.
“Troubadour”, then, isn’t a desperate plea for continued relevance. It’s a seasoned artist reflecting on a life dedicated to his craft. The song, penned by Leslie Satcher and Monty Holmes, opens with a gentle acoustic guitar figure, setting the stage for Strait’s signature drawl.
The lyrics paint a picture: “I was a young troubadour / When I rode in on a song.” Here, the troubadour – a traveling singer and storyteller – becomes a metaphor for Strait himself, embarking on a musical odyssey.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Verse 1]
I still feel twenty-five most of the time
I still raise a little Cain with the boys
Honky Tonks and pretty women
But Lord I’m still right there with ’em
Singing above the crowd and the noise[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing’s gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour when I’m gone[Verse 2]
Well, the truth about a mirror
Is that a damned old mirror
Don’t really tell the whole truth
It don’t show what’s deep inside
Or read between the lines
And it’s really no reflection of my youth[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothing’s gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
I’ll be an old troubadour when I’m gone
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour when I’m gone
Harley