Revealing the Musical Crossroads: The Untold Journey of George Strait’s “Right or Wrong“
In the realm of country music, legends are born through chance encounters and the unwavering passion for timeless melodies. Such was the case for George Strait, the iconic Texan troubadour, when he stumbled upon the captivating tunes of Bob Wills, the maestro of Western Swing. It was within Wills’ music that Strait found solace and inspiration, leading to a pivotal moment in 1983, decades after the formation of Wills’ Texas Playboys.
George Strait, known for his distinct honky-tonk style, had embarked on a musical journey under the guidance of producer Blake Mevis. However, amidst recording his third album, Strait decided to make a bold change, scrapping the project and enlisting the expertise of Ray Baker as the new producer. The shift brought forth a challenge—time constraints. MCA, the record label, had already released a fourth single from Strait’s previous album and desired a swift release for the new project. With a sense of urgency, George and Ray meticulously selected a dozen songs for the album and embarked on two intense days of recording sessions at Nashville’s Woodland Sound Studio.
After successfully recording nine tracks, they found themselves in need of just one more song to complete the album. The remaining three contenders were discarded, leaving them with a mere twenty minutes on their final session. It was then that Baker suggested they revisit a song he had witnessed George perform during a live show: Bob Wills’ enchanting composition, “Right or Wrong.”
Fate seemed to align perfectly in that very moment. Among the musicians present in the studio was a fiddle player who had once graced Wills’ band with his extraordinary talent. Johnny Gimble, a three-time CMA “Instrumentalist of the Year” award winner, exuded a deep understanding and appreciation for Western swing. Being well-acquainted with “Right or Wrong,” Baker entrusted Gimble with complete creative freedom for the fiddle parts on the track. True to his reputation, Gimble’s introduction, breaks, and fills with the fiddle were nothing short of spectacular. Many critics believe that it was Gimble’s virtuosic fiddle work that contributed significantly to the soaring success of “Right or Wrong,” propelling it to the pinnacle of the charts on April 28, 1984, and marking George Strait’s fourth consecutive number one hit.
Little did anyone know, this was just the beginning of George Strait’s extraordinary journey. With an unparalleled record of 60 number one hits, a feat unrivaled in the history of country music (44 on Billboard and 16 on non-Billboard charts), Strait solidified his place as an icon. His illustrious career continued to thrive, with his final number one hit, “Give It All We Got Tonight,” resonating with audiences in 2012.
The story behind “Right or Wrong” showcases the intersection of fate, talent, and passion, breathing life into a timeless melody and etching George Strait’s name in the annals of country music history.
Artist: George Strait
Album: Right or Wrong
Released: 1983
Lyrics
Right or wrong, I’ll always love you
Though you’re gone, I can’t forget
Right or wrong, I’ll keep on dreaming
Still I wake with that same ol’ regret
All along I knew I’d lose you
Though I prayed that you’d be true
In your heart please just remember
Right or wrong, I’m still in love with you
Right or wrong, I’ll always love you
Though you’re gone, I can’t forget
Right or wrong, I’ll keep on dreaming
Still I wake with that same ol’ regret
All along I knew I’d lose you
Though I prayed that you’d be true
Oh, in your heart please just remember
Right or wrong, I’m still in love with you
