The song was written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser after they attended a rodeo in Amarillo, Texas. Stafford originally recorded it in 1973 to minor success before Strait’s definitive cover.
Released in 1983 as part of the album Strait from the Heart , the song is celebrated for its and the nomadic spirit of the American cowboy. George Strait - Amarillo By Morning
Critics, such as Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe , note that the song's "simple arrangement and understated delivery" became the hallmark of Strait’s long career. The song was written by Terry Stafford and