Country Music

Classic Country Music Hits

Country Music

🤝 George Strait & Tom Cusick: A Friendship That Built Something Greater George brought the music, Tom brought the strategy—and together, they brought heart. In 2011, as the Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne, Texas was falling into disrepair and seemingly fading from the map, George and Tom decided to step in. They didn’t just see a real estate opportunity. They saw a symbol—a chance to restore something meaningful. And they faced the challenge not by walking away, but by starting over, with everything they had. But the story doesn’t end there. That same year, they co-founded the Vaqueros del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament & Benefit Concert—a unique blend of sport and music, created to raise funds for injured military veterans through Feherty’s Troops First Foundation. From the heart of Texas, they’ve raised millions of dollars for those who once served in silence.

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

There’s a certain kind of wisdom that only comes with years on the road, both literally and metaphorically. I remember hearing “Here for a Good Time” on a summer afternoon drive through the Texas Hill Country, windows down, wind in my face, and a smile I didn’t realize I was wearing. It wasn’t just a catchy tune—it was a reminder. Life’s short. So laugh loud, love big, and don’t put off joy. George Strait wasn’t just singing a song—he was passing on a philosophy.

About The Composition

  • Title: Here for a Good Time
  • Composer: George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon
  • Premiere Date: June 13, 2011 (as a single)
  • Album: Here for a Good Time
  • Genre: Country

Background

Here for a Good Time marked a spirited return for George Strait in 2011, serving as the lead single and title track from his 27th studio album. Co-written with his son Bubba Strait and longtime collaborator Dean Dillon, the song captured a new depth of reflection, blending George’s traditional country sensibilities with a touch of carpe diem wisdom. It debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and eventually became his 89th Top 10 hit—an astonishing feat that solidified his legendary status. The song wasn’t just a hit; it was a generational anthem delivered with the relaxed authority only Strait can command.

Musical Style

Musically, the song is classic Strait: smooth, laid-back, and wrapped in warm steel guitar tones and fiddle accents. The arrangement leans into a mid-tempo groove that feels like a sunny afternoon—unrushed, confident, and full of ease. There’s a subtle buoyancy in the instrumentation that mirrors the song’s lyrical optimism, and Strait’s signature baritone glides effortlessly over every note, delivering each line with equal parts charm and conviction.

Lyrics / Libretto

The lyrics carry a powerful, simple truth:

“I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.”

It’s a motto, a reminder, a little nudge to stop waiting for life to get perfect and start living it as it is. The verses touch on aging, regrets, and the brevity of life—but always with a wink and a smile. There’s no despair here, only a joyful acceptance. The song walks a tightrope between reflection and celebration, and that balance is what makes it so enduring.

Performance History

George Strait first performed Here for a Good Time during his 2011–2012 tour, where it quickly became a crowd favorite. Fans would sway and sing along, and the chorus often turned into a stadium-wide declaration. The song also took on new meaning during his farewell The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, acting as both a personal statement and a final salute. To this day, it remains a staple in country radio rotations and a go-to track in any Strait setlist.

Cultural Impact

Though rooted in country tradition, the message of Here for a Good Time transcends genre. It’s been quoted in toasts, painted on barn wood signs, and used in everything from road trip playlists to retirement videos. The song resonates across age groups—young listeners see it as a call to adventure, older fans as a badge of earned wisdom. In a culture that often glorifies hustle and long-term planning, this song is a gentle rebellion: be present, be joyful.

Legacy

More than a hit, Here for a Good Time has become a defining statement in George Strait’s catalog. It represents the seasoned artist at peace with himself, still curious, still grateful, and still grounded. It’s the kind of song people return to when life gets too serious—because it reminds us of what really matters. The legacy isn’t just the chart numbers—it’s the way the song makes people feel freer, even if just for a moment.Conclusion

If you haven’t listened to Here for a Good Time in a while—or ever—do yourself a favor. Find a quiet road, roll the windows down, and press play. Let George Strait be your co-pilot for a few minutes. One of the best versions is the album recording from Here for a Good Time (2011), but if you’re in the mood for something live, his performance from The Cowboy Rides Away Tour captures the song’s full heart.

In a world that’s often too fast and too loud, this song is a gentle reminder to slow down and smile. After all, we’re not here for a long time…

We’re here for a good time. 🎶

Video

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I’m not gonna lay around and whine and moan
‘Cause somebody done done me wrong
Don’t think for a minute that I’m gonna sit around
And sing some old sad song

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I believe it’s half full, not a half empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last

[Chorus]
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone, put it in stone, “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time

[Verse 2]
Folks are always dreaming ’bout what they’d like to do
But I like to do just what I like
I’ll take the chance, dance the dance
It might be wrong but then again it might be right

[Pre-Chorus 2]
There’s no way of knowing what tomorrow brings
Life’s too short to waste it, I say bring on anything

[Chorus]
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone, put it in stone, “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time
I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time

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“I DON’T NEED MORE MANSIONS — I NEED TO BUILD HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN WHO REMIND ME OF MYSELF.” With those words, George Strait announced the creation of the Strait Legacy Foundation — a $5 million project turning his childhood ranch into a place of shelter and education for underprivileged children and struggling families. It was a full circle moment. Long before the spotlight and record-breaking success, Strait had been just a boy on that same dusty Texas land, dreaming of a better life. Instead of reclaiming it for luxury, he chose to transform it into hope for others. That decision revealed what fans have always known: George Strait’s greatness has never been measured in wealth or extravagance, but in humility, generosity, and heart. Through the foundation, children will find opportunity, families will find refuge, and his legacy will stretch far beyond the music charts — written instead in the lives forever changed by his quiet gift.

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“It didn’t feel like a concert,” one fan whispered. “It felt like we were back there… and saying goodbye all over again.” On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Alan Jackson didn’t just sing “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”; he opened a portal to that haunting September morning. With his voice cracking and eyes closed, he wasn’t performing for a crowd; he was reliving the pain right alongside them, his raw emotion turning the arena into a sanctuary of shared memory. This wasn’t just another tribute; it was a powerful, gut-wrenching experience that explains why this one song, and this specific performance, still cuts deeper than all the rest, giving a voice to a grief that words alone could never touch.

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“SOME LEGENDS ALMOST WALK AWAY BEFORE THEIR STORY BEGINS.” In the late 1970s, George Strait nearly quit music altogether. He had accepted a steady job designing cattle pens in Uvalde, weary of chasing a dream that seemed to slip further away. Norma quickly noticed the change. “I didn’t want to live with him like that,” she recalled. Her encouragement gave George one last push — a promise to try for just one more year. That decision changed everything. With help from his friend Erv Woolsey, George traveled back to Nashville, only to hear again that his voice was “too country.” Rejected but not broken, he and Erv convinced MCA executives to hear the Ace In The Hole Band live in a Texas honky-tonk. This time, the spark caught. George was offered a single: a heartbroken drinking song called “Unwound.” Released in May 1981, just days before his 29th birthday, the track climbed to No. 6. George remembered hearing it on the radio while still working as a ranch foreman — shocked to recognize his own voice climbing the charts. That success led to his debut album, Strait Country, and soon after, his first No. 1 with “Fool Hearted Memory.” But Nashville wanted to mold him. They told him to lose the hat, soften the sound, lean into pop polish. George resisted. “They were trying to make me into something else, but I was too hardheaded,” he later said. By the time his fourth album was underway, he had the confidence to push back. With hits on the charts and awards in hand, George Strait claimed control of his music — and in doing so, set the course for a career that would honor tradition while rewriting history.

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For all the records and titles — more than 100 million albums sold, 60 number-one hits — George Strait has always carried himself as something simpler: a Texas man who loves the land, his family, and the quiet life. He often said, “Country music is important to me, but it’s not my whole life. I like to hunt, I like to fish, I like to play golf.” Unlike many of the hard-living legends he once admired, Strait built his legacy without scandal, grounded instead in loyalty and restraint. Songwriter Dean Dillon calls him “the ultimate family man,” never far from Norma and Bubba, whether on stage or back at the ranch. What makes George Strait remarkable is not only his unmatched success, but the way he achieved it — steady, traditional, and timeless. In an ever-changing genre, he proved that authenticity endures. Long after the spotlights fade, the King of Country remains what he has always been: a humble Texan, letting the music speak for itself.