About the Song
When George Strait recorded “Lovesick Blues” for his 1992 box set Strait Out of the Box, he wasn’t just covering a classic — he was paying tribute to the very roots of country music. Originally made famous by Hank Williams in 1949 (and first recorded even earlier by Emmett Miller in the 1920s), “Lovesick Blues” is one of the most iconic songs in the genre’s history. And in Strait’s hands, it doesn’t feel like a museum piece — it feels fresh, alive, and full of the same raw ache that made it a hit over 70 years ago.
Strait stays true to the honky-tonk spirit of the original, complete with the unmistakable yodeling refrain that has challenged and charmed vocalists for generations. He doesn’t try to reinvent the song — he respects it. His rendition is clean, classic, and lovingly faithful, yet still infused with that signature Strait polish: smooth vocals, tight instrumentation, and just the right touch of Texas swing.
The song’s tale of heartbreak — told with exaggerated flair and rhythmic bounce — feels tailor-made for Strait’s natural storytelling style. The steel guitar dances behind him, the fiddle plays its lonely counterpoint, and George delivers the lines with both humor and hurt. It’s a throwback, yes, but it’s also a celebration — a reminder that even country music royalty bows to the legends who came before.
By including “Lovesick Blues” on his box set, Strait did more than just cover a classic — he brought it back into the conversation for a new generation of fans. And in doing so, he reminded everyone that heartbreak never goes out of style, especially when sung by a voice like his.