Best of George Strait on Guitar: 12 Timeless Country Lessons
This fourth volume in our George Strait guitar series brings together 12 of his most heartfelt and memorable hits.
Whether you're strumming through “Unwound,” picking out “The Fireman,” or playing along to the timeless “Write This Down,” each lesson is designed for acoustic guitar players who love classic country storytelling.
With simple chords, clear rhythms, and step-by-step demos, you’ll be able to master the sound of one of country music’s greatest legends.
From sentimental ballads to toe-tapping anthems, these songs capture the spirit of George Strait like no other.
🎸 Overview Video -
“Watch This Preview of My
Best Of George Strait On Guitar Vol 4”
More George Strait Guitar Songs Vol 2
Great George Strait Guitar Songs Vol 3
George Strait Guitar List Vol 4
1. The Best Day2. The Chair
3. The Fireman
4. The Nerve
5. Three Nails And A Cross
6. Troubadour
7. Unwound
8. Where Have I Been All My Life
9. Wrapped
10. Write This Down
11. You Look So Good In Love
12. You'll Be There
1. The Best Day - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Best Day was written by Dean Dillon and Carson Chamberlain and was a #1 hit back in 2000.
The song can be found on the album Latest Greatest Straitest Hits.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 2nd fret with this one in standard tuning and no lead, just a riff. Play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords G, G/D#, C, D, A7, A7sus, D7, Am7 and a G7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. The Chair - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Chair is one of George Strait’s most iconic ballads, released in August 1985 as the lead single from his album Something Special. The track was written by Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran, a songwriting duo responsible for many Strait classics.
What makes "The Chair" stand out is its clever lyrical structure—it's essentially a one-sided conversation in which the singer charms a woman by pretending to have approached her only to tell her she’s sitting in his chair. The storytelling is subtle, intimate, and unfolds entirely through the man’s words, drawing the listener into the moment without ever hearing the woman’s responses.
Chord And Strumming
I play this one with a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning and a capo 2nd fret. For chords you'll need a G, Am, D, D7, C, G6, D/Gb, Em, Ab. No lead here just a few riffs.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. The Fireman - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Fireman has an up tempo beat and came out in 1985 from the album "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind".
The song was a #10 hit in Canada and a #5 hit in the US.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play in standard tuning with some lead and a root up up down up and repeat rhythm pattern or a down up down up will work as well. For chords play an A, E, D7 and E7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. The Nerve - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Nerve is a song written by Bobby Braddock and appeared on George Strait's 1997 album Carrying You Love With Me.
The song was never released as a single.
Chords And Strumming
The chords here are E, A, B7, Abm, Dbm, B and a Gbm. You can start with some arpeggio and then move into a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Played in standard tuning and no lead required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Three Nails And A Cross - Learn To Play On Guitar
Three Nails And A Cross hails from the "Here For A Good Time" album which was released in 2011.
George co-wrote this song with his son, Dean Dillon and Bobby Boyd.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo 1st in standard tuning. For rhythm I play a root down up down up root down up down up pattern with no picking. For chords play a G, Em, C, A7, D6, Am7, D, Em/Db and an Em7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Troubadour - Learn To Play On Guitar
Troubadour was a single release back in 2008 from the album of the same name. Country singer Vince Gill sang backup vocals on the song which reached #7 on the country charts in the US and #3 in Canada. A music video was created for the single.
Below you'll find my George Strait Troubadour guitar chords listed and as a free chord sheet. There is also a full George Strait troubadour guitar lesson available on video for a small fee.
Chords And Strumming
A capo 4th will give you the original key in standard tuning. Play a root down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with a few riffs with the chords C, G and Em.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Unwound - Learn To Play On Guitar
Unwound was released in 1981 and was his debut career single from the album Strait Country. It never reached #1 but it did make it to #6. And that will draw radio play and exposure, which of course it sure did.
The song was actually written for Johnny Paycheck, but he was in jail at the time. So Blake Mervis managed to get the song for George. And since then, Dean Dillon has helped write more than 40 George Strait songs. Imagine if Paycheck was not in jail that day.
Chords And Strumming
The three chords here are A, E and D with some lead and in standard tuning. For rhythm you can play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. Where Have I Been All My Life - Learn To Play On Guitar
Where Have I Been All My Life can be found on the 2009 album entitled "Twang".
Chords And Strumming
Play this one in standard tuning with a capo 1st fret to put you into the original key. Some lead required with the chords G, Em, Gbm, D, Bm, A7sus, A7 and a Gb.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. Wrapped - Learn To Play On Guitar
Wrapped was written by Bruce Robison (brother of Texan artist Charlie Robison) and recorded his own version for this song. George Strait picked up the song for his album "It Just Comes Natural" and had a #2 hit with his version.
Kelly Willis also covered the song.
Chords And Strumming
I use a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning while playing a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern, or use a root down up bass up down up pattern. The chords needed here are D, Bm, G, A, E, Dbm and a B7 with some lead required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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10. Write This Down - Learn To Play On Guitar
Write This Down was released the album "Always Never The Same" in 1999 as the 2nd single.
It was the 35th #1 country song from George Strait and crossed over to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song also hit #1 in Canada.
Chords And Strumming
This one you can play in standard tuning playing a root down root up down up rhythm pattern with the chords G, A, C, D, D7, A7 and Bm. Some lead is required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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11. You Look So Good In Love - Learn To Play On Guitar
You Look So Good In Love was the first music video put out by George Strait in 1983. He didn't like the final result and refused to do music videos for several years because of the slow pace of this one.
The song was a #1 country hit when it was released from his album Right Or Wrong.
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning with a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. For chords you'll want a G, Am7, C, D, Bm, D7, E, Dbm, A and an E7. No lead here.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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12. You'll Be There - Learn To Play On Guitar
You'll Be There was a #4 hit for George Strait pure country back in 2005 from his album "Somewhere Down In Texas".
The song was written by Cory Mayo.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning with no lead. For rhythm play a root down up down up down up and repeat and blend in some a arpeggio. No lead with the chords D, D/Gb, G, Asus, A, Bm and an F.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
With this final collection, you’ll complete a powerful set of George Strait’s greatest guitar tracks—perfect for practice, performance, or just relaxing with your instrument.
These lessons offer a heartfelt dive into the songs that defined an era, from “Three Nails and a Cross” to the ever-popular “You Look So Good In Love.”
If you’ve enjoyed this page, be sure to check out our other George Strait volumes for even more iconic tunes to play and enjoy.
If you liked this best of George Strait on guitar page you might also like ... (click images)
George Strait Official Website
George Strait Top Songs
Very Easy Country Guitar Songs
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