About the Song
In a career filled with smooth barroom shuffles, two-stepping love songs, and heartfelt tributes to country living, George Strait has always had a special way of singing about what goes unsaid—the feelings tucked behind stoic eyes and cowboy pride. His 1993 ballad “I’d Like to Have That One Back,” from the album Easy Come, Easy Go, is one of the finest examples of his ability to express regret without ever raising his voice.
The song tells the story of a man reflecting on a past relationship—one that slipped away not because of a fight, but because he didn’t fully understand what he had until it was gone. With lyrics like “I can see it now, how about then / If I had only known it then…” George delivers a quiet confession that hits hard, especially for those who’ve loved and lost not through betrayal, but through neglect or misunderstanding.
Musically, “I’d Like to Have That One Back” is a classic Strait ballad: understated, melodic, and built around steel guitar, gentle percussion, and soft piano. Nothing in the arrangement is flashy—it’s all in service to the story, allowing George’s voice—steady, sincere, and rich with emotion—to take center stage.
What makes the song so powerful is its honesty. It doesn’t end in redemption. There’s no reunion or apology accepted. It’s simply a man looking back and acknowledging that he let something good slip through his hands, and that’s a weight he still quietly carries.
While it wasn’t one of Strait’s biggest commercial hits, it became a fan favorite for its emotional depth and relatability. For anyone who’s ever stared at the ceiling late at night and thought, “If only I could go back…” this song speaks directly to the heart.
“I’d Like to Have That One Back” isn’t just about love lost—it’s about the lessons that come too late and the soft ache of knowing you can’t undo what’s been done. And in true George Strait fashion, it turns that ache into something beautiful, timeless, and deeply human.