George Strait Album: “22 More Hits”

This 22 song CD is a companion set with a 2004 CD called "50 Number Ones". This latest offering, "22 More Hits", features 21 hit singles for George Strait that didn't hit #1 but were radio hits and fan favorites. There are several of his Top-20 hits missing, including "Down and Out", "King of the Mountain", and the more recent efforts: "Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa" and "Seashores of Old Mexico".

Whatever the case, 20 songs on this collection showcase all of George Strait's Top-10 hits during the years of 1981 through 2007...the fact that so many of his songs hit #1 it's easy to mistake several of the songs on here as #1 hits even if they really didn't go all the way. Two of Strait's songs, "The Fireman" and "The Cowboy Rides Away", were among the songs that fans were puzzled by since neither song was on the 50 Number Ones collection from 2004...two of his most popular songs in concert...so, according to George Strait, this "22 More Hits" collection was put together to spotlight many of the hit songs that didn't reach #1 with a heavy emphasis on the material recorded the last 5-6 years.

This is a perfect companion set to 2004's "50 Number Ones"...both CD's feature similar cover art. The CD kicks off with his current Top-10 hit, the #3 smash "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls". The reason behind this, obviously, is to promote his current single at the same time promote his previous hit songs. "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls" is also on the album IT JUST COMES NATURAL, released in 2006. As mentioned earlier, quite a few of these hits are from the last 5-6 years with just enough '80s and '90s hit singles from Strait to entice sales...this is the track listing and the chart position each hit song achieved:

1. How 'Bout Them Cowgirls; 2007 #3

2. Amarillo By Morning; 1983 #4

3. The Fireman; 1985 #5

4. Gone as a Girl Can Get; 1992 #5

5. When Did You Stop Loving Me; 1993 #6

6. Marina Del Rey; 1983 #6

7. Desperately; 2004 #6

8. The Cowboy Rides Away; 1985 #5

9. Lovebug; 1994 #8

10. Cowboys Like Us; 2003 #2

11. She Let Herself Go; 2005 #1

12. You'll Be There; 2005 #4

13. Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You; 2001 #17

14. What Do You Say To That; 1999 #4

15. Drinking Champagne; 1990 #4

16. You're Something Special To Me; 1986 #4

17. Meanwhile; 1999 #4

18. Adalida; 1995 #3

19. If You Can Do Anything Else; 2001 #5

20. Unwound; 1981 #6

21. If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger; 1982 #3

22. Overnight Success; 1990 #8

This "22 More Hits" and the earlier "50 Number Ones" from 2004 are both essential for the casual fan who does not own the individual albums from which the hits originally appeared on. "22 More Hits" spotlights every Top-10 single that didn't hit #1 for Strait with the inclusion of the #1 hit, "She Let Herself Go", and the Top-20 hit, "Don't Make Me Come Over There and Love You", making the collection have it's total of 22 songs. "She Let Herself Go" was released as a single and hit #1 after the release of the 50 Number Ones collection as to why it's included on this collection of "non-number one" hits.

The editorial review was a bit harsh, though. Time and time again it's been explained that in order for an artist of George Strait's longevity to continue having big radio hits he had to evolve with the times. Had he stayed exactly the same as he was in 1981 without changing ever so often he would not have survived the 'new country' explosion in the early to mid 1990's. He had no choice but to expand and embrace the newer sounds in country music, and the newer kinds of country songs being written, or be off the radio and off a major label...and that isn't something anyone who goes to Nashville as a struggling singer wants to happen once they get their foot in the door. Strait got his foot in the door in 1981...building on his career that by the time 1986 rolled around he was in the super-star category...and in 1987 he became the first country artist to have an album debut at #1, the "Ocean Front Property" album.

The editorial mentions that over the course of time Strait said 'goodbye' to the sounds of George Jones, Buck Owens, and Bob Wills which was another unfair statement. Country singers should be given room to grow and evolve and experiment instead of them continually being pressured to fit into some pre-determined mold, not feeling free to experiment. Strait built his career on a style of music he loves but then as he gained more control over his career and became even more successful, as most artists do, they feel comfortable enough to branch out and experiment. Strait, to his credit, has remained truer to traditional country music but this doesn't mean it's all he is suppose to sing because when you restrict an artist it does them a disservice, actually.