Introduction
“Troubadour,” released in June 2008, is the introspective title track and second single from George Strait’s twenty‑fifth studio album of the same name . Written by Leslie Satcher and Monty Holmes, the song emerged from a writing session in 2007, inspired by producer Tony Brown’s request for something that reflected Strait’s enduring spirit amid rumors of his retirement . Satcher recalls the lyrics began with “I still feel 25 / Most of the time…” and the title Troubadour came to her like “a blessing … as if guided by an angel”—an idea Holmes immediately embraced .
Musically, the song is a neotraditional country ballad, underpinned by classic instrumentation—acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle—crafted to highlight Strait’s calm, sincere delivery . Vince Gill lends soft background vocals that add richness and resonance to the track .
Upon release, “Troubadour” climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Strait’s 79th Top‑Ten hit and his 86th charted single . It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2009 awards .
The accompanying music video, directed by Trey Fanjoy and edited by Scott Mele, visually weaves performance footage with archived photos from Strait’s career, reinforcing the song’s reflective theme of life’s journey and legacy .
“Troubadour” resonated deeply with fans and Strait alike. It became a signature song and later served as an unofficial theme during his Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour (2013–14)