Introduction
Released on September 18, 1995, as the lead single from his box set Strait Out of the Box, “Check Yes or No” became one of George Strait’s signature recordings . Written by Nashville newcomers Danny Wells and Dana Hunt Black, it was their first major cut—and first No. 1 hit . Hunt Black had held the chorus idea in her mind for a year before collaborating with Wells at an ASCAP session in Nashville, turning a playful childhood concept into a polished country hit Recorded on April 10, 1995, at Nashville’s Emerald Sound Studios, Strait was immediately drawn to the song—so much so that, as he told CMT, he knew right away he “wanted to cut it,” and his toddler son even approved. His warm, sincere delivery brings the nostalgic tale of young love to life. The song chronicles two third-grade classmates passing notes and sharing shy confessions, then jumps forward two decades to show that their bond endured into marriage
Upon release, “Check Yes or No” topped both the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canada’s RPM country charts, staying at No. 1 for four weeks . It earned Strait CMA and ACM Single of the Year honors, and its music video—featuring playful childhood scenes and concert footage—became a fan favorite
More than twenty-five years later, the song remains a staple in Strait’s live performances—from honky-tonks to stadiums—and a favorite among country fans . It’s been covered by artists like Kane Brown and Scotty McCreery, but Strait’s version endures as the definitive one .