All My Ex's Live in Texas

"All My Ex's Live in Texas"
Single by George Strait
from the album Ocean Front Property
B-side	"I'm All Behind You Now"
Released	April 10, 1987
Recorded	September 23, 1986
Genre	Western Western swing honky-tonk
Length	3:22
Label	MCA 53087
Songwriter(s)	Sanger D. Shafer Lyndia J. Shafer [1]
Producer(s)	Jimmy Bowen, George Strait
George Strait singles chronology
"Ocean Front Property" (1986) "All My Ex's Live in Texas" (1987) "Am I Blue" (1987)

"All My Ex's Live in Texas" is a song written by Sanger D. Shafer and Lyndia J. Shafer, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in April 1987 as the second single from Strait's seventh studio album, Ocean Front Property , following the album's title track. Becoming his 11th number one hit single, Strait received his first Grammy Awards nomination for "All My Ex's Live In Texas" for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 1988 Grammy Awards. ^{[2] [3]}

The song has been used in various forms of media, including Strait's version in the films Road House in 1989, Necessary Roughness in 1991, Bumblebee in 2018, Cold Creek Manor in 2003, and Power Rangers in 2017, and in television with Halt and Catch Fire in 2016, Ash vs Evil Dead in 2015, and Chuck in 2011. ^{[4] [5]} Canadian rapper Drake name checks Strait and the song in the opening lyrics of his 2012 single HYFR. ^[6]

Shafer's demo version has been used in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas . ^[7]

The format of the song is that of a list song.

Musical style and composition

"All My Ex's Live in Texas" is a Western, ^[8] Western swing, ^[9] and honky-tonk song rooted in fiddle and pedal steel guitar. ^[10]

Content

The narrator explains that he had lived most of his life in Texas along the Frio River (Brazos River in Shafer's original recording, Colorado River in his later performances), but that a string of failed relationships with women in that state that ended disastrously (such as going insane, sending the law after him and walking out before the honeymoon) prompted him to flee to Tennessee; he still relives his more pleasant times in Texas by way of Transcendental Meditation each night. The song is known for its Western Swing style rhythm.

Cover versions

Country music singer Jack Ingram covered the song from the television special George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert.

Critical reception

"All My Ex's Live in Texas" is widely regarded as one of Strait's best songs. Billboard and American Songwriter ranked the song number two and number five, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest George Strait songs. ^{[11] [12]}

Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B+ grade, saying that "you can almost hear the guy smirking as he sings this swinging hit, running down a list of jilted lovers from all over the Lone Star state." ^[13]

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [14]	1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [15]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [16]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "All My Ex's Live in Texas". BMI Repertoire. BMI.
2. Sparkman, Darby. "'All My Ex's Live In Texas': The Story Behind George Strait's Lovelorn Tribute to His Home State". Wide Open Country. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
3. "George Strait". Grammy Awards . Retrieved May 18, 2025.
4. Cox, Brady (February 17, 2022). "Sam Elliott Dancing To George Strait In 'Road House' Is An All-Time Great Movie Scene". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
5. "George Strait - Credits - Soundtrack". IMDB . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
6. Garcia, Ricky (November 4, 2022). "LIST: Texas references on Drake, 21 Savage's 'Her Loss' album". KXAN-TV . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
7. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Box Set) - Original Game Soundtrack". AllMusic . Retrieved May 28, 2008.
8. "George Strait, Troubadour". Country Universe. December 3, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
9. Weiner, Natalie (May 18, 2022). "Best George Strait Songs: 20 Country Anthems". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
10. Tomlin, Edward (August 10, 2024). "10 Best George Strait Songs of All Time". Singersroom. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
11. Dauphin, Chuck (June 27, 2017). "George Strait's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard . Retrieved May 17, 2022.
12. Walthall, Catherine (December 28, 2021). "The Top 10 George Strait Songs". American Songwriter . Retrieved May 17, 2022.
13. Coyne, Kevin John (May 28, 2012). "Retro Single Review: George Strait, 'All My Ex's Live in Texas'". Country Universe.
14. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 336.
15. "George Strait Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
16. "American single certifications – George Strait – All My Ex's Live in Texas". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 25, 2021.

External links

• George Strait - All My Ex's Live in Texas on YouTube