Introduction
Released in September 1995 as the lead single from his box‑set Strait Out of the Box, “Check Yes or No” quickly became one of George Strait’s most enduring hits. Penned by Nashville songwriters Danny Wells and Dana Hunt Black, it notably marked both writers’ first major artist cut—a sign of its instantly appealing charm Black recalled that the refrain had simmered in her mind for nearly a year before she shared it with Wells during an ASCAP session, and their collaboration launched the song into production .
Strait recorded the track on April 10, 1995, at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville, and expressed immediate enthusiasm upon hearing it—so much so, he mentioned that even his toddler son warmed to the melody. The song captures the innocence of childhood romance—school‑bus kisses, heartfelt notes where the protagonist is asked to “check yes or no”—and follows the couple into adulthood, marriage, and life-long devotion .
Upon release, the song debuted at No. 63 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in late September 1995 and ascended to No. 1, where it held the top spot for four weeks . It also reached No. 1 in Canada on RPM’s country chart . The song’s commercial success helped Strait Out of the Box become one of country music’s best-selling boxed sets, certified 8× platinum . Critically, it won CMA Single of the Year in 1996, and the accompanying music video—directed by John Lloyd Miller—featured Michael Ray Ryan and Dawn Waggoner.
Over the years, “Check Yes or No” has retained its place in the country canon. It’s been covered by artists such as Kane Brown, Austin Mahone, and Scotty McCreery, the latter even performing it on American Idol at Strait’s request .
Let me know if you’d like to explore the song’s lyrics, its cultural impact, or analyze its musical style!