Introduction
“Check Yes or No” is a beloved country classic written by Nashville songwriting duo Danny Wells and Dana Hunt Black. Published in 1995, it became Black and Wells’s first song recorded by a major artist—and what a debut it was . George Strait, already an established star in the country music world, recorded the track on April 10, 1995, at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville and then released it as the lead single from his box set Strait Out of the Box on September 18, 1995.
The song is a masterful blend of nostalgic storytelling and toe-tapping melody. It begins by revisiting a childhood crush in third grade—passing notes and sharing playground affection (“It started way back in third grade…”)—before leaping ahead to reveal the pair still happily married two decades later (. With its traditional country twang and sincere lyrics, “Check Yes or No” resonated deeply with listeners across generations .
Upon its release, the song struck a chord both commercially and critically. It climbed to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and mirrored that success in Canada’s RPM country chart . Strait held the top spot for four consecutive weeks—from November 11 to December 2, 1995—solidifying the track as one of his most enduring hits of the decade. Its appeal extended well beyond charts: in 1996, it earned the prestigious CMA Single of the Year and ACM Single of the Year awards .
Strait himself has said that from the moment he first heard it, he “knew… I wanted to cut it,” noting that even his young son responded joyfully to the tune The song remains a staple in Strait’s live shows and a perennial at weddings and radio playlists—its genuine sentiment and memorable chorus making it a timeless anthem of lasting love .”