Cold Beer Conversation

A 2015 release and a surprise release just as George announced his upcoming spring and fall 2016 shows scheduled for Las Vegas.  Another George Strait gem.  All of the songs are original several of which were written by George and Bubba Strait.  Recorded in Nashville with Nashville’s current A-Team consisting of fiddle, pedal steel, electric lead guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin, dobro, with background vocals.  George’s first studio album in 2 years.


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Full moon Friday night after the game
Stars must have all lined up early that day
I just turned 17, she had me by a month
We were young, we were green to the taste, to the touch
From that very first kiss, it was like we were born for that moment
Caught up in the perfect storm

It came in like a flood over the gate
Swallowed us up and it swept us away
We were over our heads, me and that girl
We were out of our minds, it was out of this world
It was always too much, it was never enough
It was just the kind of stuff you just can't make up
It was love

We reigned like the king and the queen of the land
Everyone wanted some of what we had then
Yeah, we were the ones they all talked about
Like we were the fire that would never go out

It came in like a flood over the gate
Swallowed us up and it swept us away
We were over our heads, me and that girl
We were out of our minds, it was out of this world
It was always too much, it was never enough
It was just the kind of stuff you just can't make up
It was love

We knew it was coming, still, it came way too soon
Neither one knew what to say or to do
So, we just let the radio play while we danced
We laughed and we cried like I never have since

It came in like a flood over the gate
Swallowed us up and it swept us away
We were over our heads, me and that girl
We were out of our minds, it was out of this world
It was always too much, it was never enough
It was just the kind of stuff you just can't make up
It was love

It was love
It was love
It was just the kind of stuff you just can't make up


- Keith Gattis

Ya ever feel like you're standing in glue
Going nowhere, yeah man, me too
Busting your butt just trying to get ahead
Wind up tasting a little dust instead
Buddy, I swear that pretty thing of mine
Don't ask for much but I'd be lyin'
If I said, I didn't want to give her everything that shines

Cold beer conversations
Just a couple old boys, a little time well wasted
Trying to figure out life
Trying to figure out girls
Trying to find our place in this crazy old world
A little truth, a little frustration
Cold beer conversation

Man, don't you miss those Friday night lights?
Wouldn't you like to bust through that paper one more time?
Brother, my folks are gettin' up there in years
Momma still thinks the devil's in here
Now tell me buddy, don't you ever wish
We could work a little less, catch a few more fish?
Yeah, maybe one day when we both strike it rich

Cold beer conversations
Just a couple old boys, a little time well wasted
Trying to figure out life
Trying to figure out girls
Trying to find our place in this crazy old world
A little truth, a little frustration
Cold beer conversation

We could sit here all night trying to make it make sense
A little buzz is probably all we're gonna get
But that's alright

Cold beer conversations
Just a couple old boys, a little time well wasted
Trying to figure out life
Trying to figure out girls
Trying to find our place in this crazy old world
A little truth, a little frustration
It's just us man, go on and say it
Cold beer conversation


- Al Anderson, Ben Hayslip, Jimmy Yeary

Life's tough and then you die
And there ain't no rhyme or reason why
It comes right at you so you do what you do

Love's great until it's not
Hearts break but the world don't stop
When it rains, man, it pours, you can't change the course
You can wish on a star but if it ain't in the cards

Let it go, sometimes you gotta let it go
Let it all wash on under the bridge, blow it a kiss
Give it a rest 'cause it is what it is

Time flies while you save it all up
But someday this'll all be dust
It's all just stuff, it ain't ever enough
And you can't take it with you so you might as well just

Let it go, sometimes you gotta let it go
Let it all wash on under the bridge, blow it a kiss
Give it a rest 'cause it is what it is

You never know
What's waitin' just up the road
Sooner or later that sun's gonna shine
Luck will turn on a dime
So, when the good times roll, let 'em roll
But when they don't
Let it go

Move on, keep moving 'til you see the light
The one that you've been waiting on
Shining bright in the night
Saying, "Hey there friend, where the hell have you been?"

Let it go, sometimes you gotta let it go
Let it all wash on under the bridge, blow it a kiss
Give it a rest 'cause it is what it is

You never know
What's waitin' just up the road
Sooner or later that sun's gonna shine
Luck will turn on a dime
And when the good times roll, let 'em roll
But when they don't
Let it go

Let it go, you really gotta let it go
Let it go, sometimes you gotta let it go
Let it go, you really oughta let it go
Let it go


- George Strait, Bubba Strait, Keith Gattis

I put in my forty and they take out way too much
The same old story, same old brown bag, homemade lunch
Might not be the big dream but I guess I can't complain
It pays the rent but that's about all that it pays

It's been too long
Hey, I'm goin', I'm goin'
I'm overdue so throw it on the card
Bartender, keep it open, I'm just getting started
Come Monday morning, I just might be overdrawn
But it's Friday night, so, I'm goin', goin' gone

Ain't got no 401, ain't got no benefits
They don't hand out stock options, not down here in the pits
But I've got old glory hanging by my front porch light
Might not be the perfect world but then again, it might
All I know is

It's been too long
Hey, I'm goin', I'm goin'
I'm overdue so throw it on the card
Bartender, keep it open, I'm just getting started
Come Monday morning, I just might be overdrawn
But it's Friday night, so, I'm goin', goin' gone

It's been too long
Hey, I'm goin', I'm goin'
I'm overdue so throw it on the card
Bartender, keep it open, I'm just getting started
Come Monday morning, I just might be overdrawn
But it's Friday night, so, I'm goin', goin' gone


- Wyatt Earp, Keith Gattis

These lights, don't they seem a little bright?
And the way you're holding me so tight
I don't think we need that much light right now
Come on baby, let's get something going down

You can drop my jaw
With your hair up in a ball
But I wish you'd just let it fall
On your shoulders, honey, pull that ribbon out
Come on baby, let's get something going down

Like this blanket
(Something going down)
Wrapped around us
(Something going down)
Like this fever, oh baby, it's burning me up
Let's get something going down

I love this song
I love the way you sing along
The strings are barely holding on
To your body and that silky, satin gown
Come on baby, let's get something going down

Like this blanket
(Something going down)
Wrapped around us
(Something going down)
Like this fever, oh baby, it's burning me up
Let's get something going down


- Jamey Johnson, Tom Shapiro

Take me to Texas 200 years ago
Where a pride rose from the ashes of San Jacinto
Still beats in every heart like a battle cry
Where I was born, where I was raised, so, when I die

Take me to Texas on the open range
The Rio Grande is in my veins
It's heaven there and so my prayer
Is that you'll take me anywhere in Texas
The only home I know
I'm a child of the Alamo
And the yellow rose
So when I go
Take me to Texas

Where my daddy worked
Where his blood and sweat and tears are still in that red dirt
Wild palominos run, cowboys are kings
And if I stray too far, I'll let my lone star dreams

Take me to Texas on the open range
The Rio Grande is in my veins
It's heaven there and so my prayer
Is that you'll take me anywhere in Texas
The only home I know
I'm a child of the Alamo
And the yellow rose
So when I go
Take me to Texas

There's something in the sky
And in your momma's eyes
So even if you try to move away
You'll end up on some road somewhere
With your thumb up in the air
When they ask you where you're headed, you'll just say
Take me to

Dallas, Ft. Worth to San Antone
Houston, Laredo, Galveston
Or Austin, maybe Abilene
The closest thing I've ever seen
To heaven's the Gulf of Mexico
I'm a child of the Alamo
And the yellow rose
So when I go
Take me to Texas

Take me to Texas
Oh, take me to Texas
Take me to Texas


- Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally

Some got a boat they like to float
Some got a story they sugar coat
Some got a clue and then some don't
It takes all kinds

Some got a beer they like to drink
Some got a thought they like to think
Some got a chain with a few more links
It takes all kinds

That's what makes this world go around
You keep doing your thing, I'm doing mine right now

You've got a song, go on and sing it
Crank it up, rear back and bring it
I've got one, I think I'll swing it
It takes all kinds

Some wear a backwards baseball cap
If that's you, I'm cool with that
Me, I'm more a cowboy hat
It takes all kinds

That's what makes this world go around
You keep doing your thing, I'm doing mine right now

You've got a song, go on and sing it
Crank it up, rear back and bring it
I've got one, I think I'll swing it
It takes all kinds

Some like a dip in their bottom lip
They say, it's easier to spit
Me, I like a top lip dip
It takes all kinds

That's what makes this world go around
You keep doing your thing, I'm doing mine right now

Some say it is, some say it ain't
Some say we can, some say we can't
Winners, losers, sinners, saints
It takes all kinds

Some got a boat they like to float
Some got a clue and then some don't
Some got a beer they like to drink
Some got a thought they like to think
Some got a chain with a few more links
It takes all kinds


- George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan, Wil Nance

Weatherman said, "It's 105."
Is it global warming, I'm trying to decide
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink
Is there life on Mars, the question begs
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

It'll make you stop
Go inside of your favorite bar
Sit a while on a tall bar stool
And think and think and think
No, you don't need a big excuse
To pop a top and cut it loose
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

I recall a buddy of mine
He dropped dead when he was only 49
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink
He left all his money behind
His best friend married his widow wife
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

It'll make you stop
Go inside of your favorite bar
Sit a while on a tall bar stool
And think and think and think
No, you don't need a big excuse
To pop a top and cut it loose
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

You know the common man can't get a break
Wall Street cheats and guess who pays?
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink
You're headed home, the work day is done
Neon sign flashing 2-for-1
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

It'll make you stop
Go inside of your favorite bar
Sit a while on a tall bar stool
And think and think and think
No, you don't need a big excuse
To pop a top and cut it loose
Little stuff like that will make you stop and drink

Yeah, little stuff like that will make you stop and drink


- Dale Dodson, Troy Jones

Drove down to the old place a couple a days ago
Where I grew up riding next to you, learning everything I know
I noticed just how green things were when I pulled through the gate
Like the greener pastures up there where we'll meet again someday
Wish I'd have thought to slip a phone in the pocket of your suit
When the good Lord called you home on that sunny day in June

Then I could send a picture of all the things you touched
To think a man who led such a simple life could leave behind so much
It's just a lot of little things but they mean the world to me
Everywhere I look there's one more memory
There's a little bit of you in everything I see

Seems to rain now all the time, hadn't seen this much in years
Didn't take you long to send back home some answers to our prayers
A lot of things are different now but so much is still the same
And I accidentally dial your number almost every day
Wish I'd have thought to slip a phone in the pocket of your suit
When the good Lord called you home on that sunny day in June

Then I could send a picture of all the things you touched
To think a man who led such a simple life could leave behind so much
It's just a lot of little things but they mean the world to me
Everywhere I look there's one more memory
There's a little bit of you in everything I see

If somehow you could find that cloud with my stuff locked away
Dust it off and you could see the things I send you everyday

Yeah, I could send a picture of your great grandson growing up
Tell you one more time I love you and that I miss you so much
Sometimes it's the little things that really get to me
Everywhere I look there's one more memory
There's a little bit of you in everything I see

Everywhere I look there's one more memory
There's a little bit of you in everything I see


- George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis

Rock, paper, scissors
Sittin' on the table in the kitchen
That's all he's got left since she got gone
It goes hand-in-hand with the memory of doing her wrong

She slipped that ring off her finger
Slapped that ink on a goodbye note
She cut his face outta every picture
Lost his last name but won the game of

Rock, paper, scissors
Bouncing on the table as he pounds it double-fisted
He's blowing up her phone but it ain't gonna change a thing
'Cause there ain't gonna be no best two out of three

She slipped that ring off her finger
Slapped that ink on a goodbye note
She cut his face outta every picture
Lost his last name but won the game of

When she found him passed out on couch
With lipstick on his cheek
There was nothing left but take a breath
And one, two, three

She slipped that ring off her finger
Slapped that ink on a goodbye note
She cut his face outta every picture
Lost his last name but won the game of

Rock, paper, scissors
Sittin' on the table in the kitchen
Yeah


- Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, Bubba Strait

There's a tangerine sunset
Reflectin' off the water
Reflectin' off this bottle in my hand
When I get to the bottom of it
I got five more in that bucket
To get me free as can be like the breeze off the sugar sand

I was a shadow of myself
Back on the mainland when you left
Out here, I can clear my mind and the wind can fill my sails
One more Tecate and I'll be
Closer to where I need to be
Six Mexican beers between wish you were here and wish you well

You know these dark-haired senoritas
They sure know how to treat ya
Ain't sure what they're sayin' but I'm hangin' on every word
With every sip I get a little bit closer
To forgettin' and gettin' over
That memory that followed me down here to heaven on earth

I was a shadow of myself
Back on the mainland when you left
Out here, I can clear my mind and the wind can fill my sails
One more Tecate and I'll be
Closer to where I need to be
Four Mexican beers between wish you were here and wish you well

When I crossed the border, I told myself
I'd say goodbye in Cozumel
Two Mexican beers between wish you were here and wish you well
Yeah, I wish you well


- Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Brice Long

I was sittin' in a chair at the H&R Block
Some bean countin', pencil pusher runnin' up the clock
Said, "I've tallied up your numbers for the end of the year
And son, you've spent a small fortune on liquor and beer."

I said, it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
It's sixteen-fifty for a bottle of Jack
No pouring out your heart to some high-dollar quack
Just a flip of the wrist and you're gettin' it done
And gettin' just as messed up and havin' a lot more fun

And it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
Aw, it's cheaper than a shrink

Now me and her had this little problem between us
Tryin' to bridge the gap between Mars and Venus
She said, "Honey, I think we need to see a marital counselor."
I said, "All we need to do is slam a case of twelve-ouncers."

'Cause it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
About eighteen bucks'll get you four six-packs
No pouring out your heart to some high dollar quack
Just a flip of the wrist and you're gettin' it done
And gettin' just as messed up and havin' a lot more fun

And it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
Yeah, it's cheaper than a shrink

If liquor prices soared as high as gasoline
Then I'd a quit drinki
I was sittin' in a chair at the H&R Block
Some bean countin', pencil pusher runnin' up the clock
Said, "I've tallied up your numbers for the end of the year
And son, you've spent a small fortune on liquor and beer."

I said, it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
It's sixteen-fifty for a bottle of Jack
No pouring out your heart to some high-dollar quack
Just a flip of the wrist and you're gettin' it done
And gettin' just as messed up and havin' a lot more fun

And it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
Aw, it's cheaper than a shrink

Now me and her had this little problem between us
Tryin' to bridge the gap between Mars and Venus
She said, "Honey, I think we need to see a marital counselor."
I said, "All we need to do is slam a case of twelve-ouncers."

'Cause it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
About eighteen bucks'll get you four six-packs
No pouring out your heart to some high dollar quack
Just a flip of the wrist and you're gettin' it done
And gettin' just as messed up and havin' a lot more fun

And it's cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
Yeah, it's cheaper than a shrink

If liquor prices soared as high as gasoline
Then I'd a quit drinkin' back when I was nineteen
It's the oldest most proven form of therapy
The best thing about it far as I can see is that it's

Cheaper than a shrink
You don't have to think
You just pour and drink
And it's cheaper than a shrink

Aw, you just pour and drink
And it's a whole lot cheaper
Than some big town, clock hound, drag you down shrink


- Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson

The sky is falling down around me
This kind of storm just might drown me
If I let it
It's hard to look on the bright side
When you've been blind-sided by
Something you never saw coming
That worst thing you could imagine

I believe in God even when He's silent
I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining
I believe in good luck even when the dealer don't deal it
I believe in love, I believe in love
Even when I can't feel it

Bad things happen to good people
Without any rhyme or reason, it just happens
There's nothing fair about it
But what can I do about it?
Tomorrow's another day
Good or bad, either way

I believe in God even when He's silent
I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining
I believe in good luck even when the dealer don't deal it
I believe in love, I believe in love
Even when I can't feel it

Even when I can't feel it
I believe in love


- Dean Dillon, Hayslip, Lee Thomas Miller