Introduction
“Love Bug,” originally written by Wayne Kemp and Curtis Wayne, first became a country classic when recorded by George Jones in July 1965. Released on Musicor Records, the track became a Top 10 hit, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Its upbeat, Bakersfield‑inspired sound—bright guitars and Jones’s playful, almost joking phrasing—captured the dizzying feeling of being caught by cupid’s “love bug” .
Nearly three decades later, in 1994, country superstar George Strait revived the song on his album Easy Come, Easy Go. Released as the album’s third single in February, Strait’s version climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart by May. Produced by Tony Brown alongside Strait, this version carried the same infectious melody but featured the country-pop polish that defined Strait’s ‘90s work .
Adding even more depth to the song’s journey, Strait later joined forces with Vince Gill—another esteemed figure in neotraditional country—for a duet version on the 1994 album The Bradley Barn Sessions, recorded as a tribute to George Jones . This collaboration brought together Strait’s understated Texas charm and Gill’s crystalline tenor—known for bridging classic and modern country—with both vocal finesse and instrumental warmth .
This duet also took on a life of its own through memorable live performances, including at George Strait’s 2014 farewell concert at AT&T Stadium—part of The Cowboy Rides Away tour—highlighting its enduring resonance in Strait’s late‑career repertoire .
From its 1965 origins with George Jones to Strait’s polished ‘90s remake and heartfelt duets with Vince Gill, “Love Bug” has proven to be a timeless anthem—celebrating youthful infatuation and marked by its lively musicality and enduring appeal across generations.