Damn Strait

Album: Same Truck (2021)
Charted: 32
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Damn Strait, I used to love your songs
    But now every time that one comes on
    My heart gets broke in half
    But do I wish I could get her back?


    "Damn straight" is a colloquialism meaning without doubt or for sure. Here, "straight" becomes "strait," alluding to country legend George Strait. This is because every time Scotty McCreery hears one of King George's songs, it reminds him of how much he misses his ex. Thus, the title has two meanings: The original sense of "Damn straight," and how George Strait's songs exacerbate his heartbreak.
  • Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins penned the song. The two Nashville writers namecheck several of Strait's hits in the lyrics. Some examples:

    Baby Blue was the color of her eyes
    I can still see them in my mind


    But this ole heart just ain't the same
    Hell I can't even Give It Away


    And you know you'll always be the king
    But right now I Hate Everything
  • Scotty McCreery recorded the song for Same Truck. This is one of only two tracks on the album that came from outside writers, the other being "It'll Grow on Ya."

    McCreery told Billboard that Kevin Herring from his label e-mailed him Tomlinson and Collins' tune. When he played it, McCreery "had a little mini freak out session" because he's such a huge George Strait fan.

    He added: "I love the different tidbits in there of songs of his... It's a classic country breakup song, but paying homage to George Strait throughout the song."

Comments: 5

  • Paula Hughes from LouisianaWho wrote the song Damn Striat?
  • Cody Pendant from CaliforniaTotally love this song and the dual application of the song titles chosen. However, there seems to be much more to the duality of this song than those 3 quoted lines above. For instance: the first 9 words of this song is one of Strait's hits (Nobody in his right mind would have left her). Then there was "Marina Del Rey", and "Blue Clear Sky". The song continues from there with what sounds like the background music mimicking Strait's sounds from some of the songs referenced within McCreary's. Not being a hardcore fan of Strait's (love his music, never memorized it), It seems McCreary's shuffles around in the song barrel as the verses, and songs mentioned in "Damn Strait" progress with sounds from Strait's originals, but I cannot place them. It seems that the composers placed the feeling of each song McCreary mentions into this song for punctuation. There may also be other musical parallelism without any verbal mention going on here as well. Or I could be totally imagining it. lol.
  • Christina Creede from NysLove Scotty Mcreerys songs
  • Heather from WvI love how the beginning and ending obviously nod to "Nobody..." with the melody.
  • Deborah from Roscoe, IlLove, Love Country Music...Love, Love, Love, LOVE Scotty McCreery, Damn Strait!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."