Texas has always been larger than life in American music. From cowboy ballads to modern rap, artists keep coming back to the Lone Star State as a setting, a symbol, and sometimes the punchline. These songs span decades and genres, capturing everything from heartbreak to hometown pride.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Texas Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Texas
1. “Deep in the Heart of Texas” – Gene Autry
Lyric Sample: “The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.”
This 1940s favorite has become almost an unofficial state anthem, often sung at baseball games and public events. Its sing-along chorus celebrates the land, skies, and spirit of Texas.
2. “Luckenbach, Texas” – Waylon Jennings ft. Willie Nelson
Lyric Sample: “Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas, with Waylon and Willie and the boys.”
Waylon and Willie turned this small Hill Country town into a symbol of escaping materialism and finding peace. It’s one of country music’s most famous odes to a specific place.
3. “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” – George Strait
Lyric Sample: “But all my exes live in Texas, and that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee.”
George Strait mixes humor and regret in this ’80s classic about love gone wrong. It’s a witty account of his complicated history, explaining why he had to leave the state.
4. “Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
Lyric Sample: “Yeah, flood water keep a-rollin’, man, it’s about to drive poor me insane.”
This blues standard became Stevie Ray Vaughan’s signature song in the 1980s. It uses a storm as a symbol for heartbreak and loneliness.
5. “La Grange” – ZZ Top
Lyric Sample: “Rumor spreadin’ ’round, in that Texas town, about that shack outside La Grange.”
This 1970s blues-rock track is a veiled reference to a notorious “chicken ranch” brothel near the small town of La Grange, Texas. It became one of ZZ Top’s biggest hits.
6. “Texas Sun” – Khruangbin & Leon Bridges
Lyric Sample: “Wanna feel you on me, can’t wait to get back there again, Texas sun.”
“Texas Sun” is a modern indie track that feels like a long drive across the Lone Star State. It’s a celebration of both love and the Texas landscape.
7. “Streets of Laredo” – Marty Robbins
Lyric Sample: “Sing the Death March as you carry me along.”
This old cowboy ballad tells the story of a dying young cowboy giving his last wishes. Robbins’ 1959 version kept the traditional Western song alive for new generations.
8. “That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas)” – Lyle Lovett
Lyric Sample: “That’s right, you’re not from Texas, but Texas wants you anyway.”
Lovett’s humorous track pokes fun at non-Texans while ultimately offering an inclusive, welcoming spirit to the state. The song is playful yet rooted in genuine love for Texas.
9. “Cowboys from Hell” – Pantera
Lyric Sample: “Here we come, reach for your gun, and you better listen well my friend.”
This ’90s Pantera track announced the band’s arrival as a dominant force in metal. Loud, aggressive, and unapologetic, it tied their Texas roots to a worldwide takeover.
10. “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” – Alabama
Lyric Sample: “If you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.”
Alabama’s country hit is a salute to the unique music scene and culture found in the state. It lists the specific needs of Texas audiences who appreciate a certain style of music.
11. “Waltz Across Texas” – Ernest Tubb
Lyric Sample: “Like a storybook ending, I’m lost in your charms.”
This 1960s classic is a gentle country tune about love in its simplest, most joyful form. It’s long been a favorite at Texas dancehalls and weddings.
12. “Dallas” – Alan Jackson
Lyric Sample: “On how I wish Dallas was in Tennessee.”
Alan Jackson uses the city of Dallas as both a place and a lost lover’s name. It’s clever wordplay mixed with heartache.
13. “Texas” – Blake Shelton
Lyric Sample: “She’s probably in Texas, Amarillo, all I know.”
Shelton sings about the way Texas looms large in country music heartbreak in this 2024 hit. The song blends modern country storytelling with classic Texas imagery.
14. “Screw You, We’re From Texas” – Ray Wylie Hubbard
Lyric Sample: “So screw you, we’re from Texas, we’re from Texas baby, so screw you.”
“Screw You, We’re From Texas” doubles as both a defense of Texas pride and a tongue-in-cheek jab at outsiders. It’s brash and unapologetically Texan, celebrating the state’s music, venues, and larger-than-life spirit.
15. “Galveston” – Glen Campbell
Lyric Sample: “Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowing.”
Campbell’s 1969 hit is a moving country song that deals with a soldier remembering his home on the coast of Texas while overseas. The waves represent the distance and loss he feels from his life there.
Related: Best Vietnam War Songs
16. “London Homesick Blues” – Jerry Jeff Walker
Lyric Sample: “I wanna go home with the armadillo, good country music from Amarillo and Abilene.”
“London Homesick Blues” became the unofficial theme song of Austin City Limits. It’s a love letter to Texas sung from far away.
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17. “Bigger in Texas” – Megan Thee Stallion
Lyric Sample: “Everything bigger in Texas, no injections, we at the pole, no elections.”
Megan Thee Stallion flips the famous state slogan into a bold declaration of self-confidence and dominance. She reminds the world that her success, style, and presence embody the larger-than-life energy Texas is known for.
18. “Texas (When I Die)” – Tanya Tucker
Lyric Sample: “When I die, I may not go to heaven, I don’t know if they let cowboys in.”
Tucker’s hit celebrates Texas pride with humor and heart. It’s a honky-tonk anthem about how many Texans identify with their land.
19. “Amarillo by Morning” – George Strait
Lyric Sample: “They took my saddle in Houston, broke my leg in Santa Fe.”
This 1980s classic tells the story of a rodeo cowboy who travels across the Texas landscape. It is an ode to the grinding reality of life on the road and a commitment to the rodeo circuit.
20. “Texas Tornado” – Tracy Lawrence
Lyric Sample: “In a wild west Texas wind, you’re blowin’ me away.”
Lawrence uses the force of a natural disaster to describe a volatile, exciting woman from Texas. He describes her energy and unpredictability as both thrilling and a little dangerous.
21. “That’s Texas” – Cody Johnson
Lyric Sample: “That’s Texas with a capital T, if I can’t go to Heaven, I got a plan B.”
Johnson celebrates the quirks and traditions of the Lone Star State, from no-bean chili to fiddle-fueled bands. It’s a proud, playful song that doubles as a love letter to Texas culture.
22. “Ohio (Come Back to Texas)” – Bowling for Soup
Lyric Sample: “Come back to Texas, it’s just not the same since you went away.”
This 2000s pop-punk track is about someone who moved away and the narrator asking them to return. The song uses humor and Texas-specific details, from rodeos to local food, to celebrate the state’s character.
23. “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” – George Strait
Lyric Sample: “Darlin’ while you’re busy, burnin’ bridges, burn one for me, if you get time.”
This country ballad is about a man wondering if a former lover ever thinks about their past life in Fort Worth now that they have moved on. The song is full of worry about being forgotten and replaced.
Related: CMA – Single of the Year
24. “My Texas” – Josh Abbott Band ft. Pat Green
Lyric Sample: “If you haven’t floated down the ‘ol Frio, heard red dirt music on your radio.”
This upbeat early 2010s track lists all the places, experiences, and traditions that make Texas unique. It names cities, landmarks, and local culture, turning the state itself into the central character.
25. “Possum Kingdom” – Toadies
Lyric Sample: “You’ll stay as beautiful with dark hair and soft skin, forever.”
The Toadies’ grunge hit tells a sinister story about a man trying to convince a woman to join him by the Texas lake that gives the song its title. He promises her eternal youth and beauty if she accepts his disturbing offer of obsession and control.
Related: “Possum Kingdom” Song Meaning
26. “Made In Texas” – Willie Nelson
Lyric Sample: “I was born beneath that old lone star, I hit the ground pickin’ this old guitar.”
“Made In Texas” is about growing up in Texas and the experiences that shaped Willie Nelson’s early life. It celebrates local culture, music, and pride while tracing his roots in the state.
27. “El Paso” – Marty Robbins
Lyric Sample: “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl.”
Robbins tells a dramatic cowboy story involving a dangerous romance in the border city of El Paso. He sings about a doomed love that leads to a violent confrontation.
28. “God Blessed Texas” – Little Texas
Lyric Sample: “God blessed Texas with His own hand, brought down angels from the promised land.”
“God Blessed Texas” celebrates the beauty and culture of Texas, describing it as a place that feels almost miraculous. It mixes humor and pride while listing reasons why the state is one of a kind.
29. “Texas in 1880” – Foster & Lloyd
Lyric Sample: “And I’ll ride that pony fast, like a cowboy from the past.”
“Texas in 1880” is an ’80s tune about the thrill and freedom of rodeo life, celebrating the energy of young cowboys chasing glory. It blends modern experiences with the spirit of the Old West.
30. “Texas” – BigXthaPlug
Lyric Sample: “I’m from Texas, where we still ride in swangas and put diamonds in our necklace.”
This 2023 hip-hop track is about life in modern Texas, with references to cars, fashion, and local rap culture. It’s about pride, style, and the experiences of growing up in the state.
31. “Texas Lullaby” – David Allan Coe
Lyric Sample: “See those tumbleweeds a blowin’, Lord, it makes me want to cry.”
David Allan Coe sings about memories of his father and the songs he sang. It blends humor and nostalgia with a desert setting that feels distinctly Texan.
32. “The Yellow Rose of Texas” – Traditional (Various Artists)
Lyric Sample: “She’s the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew.”
This traditional folk song, dating back to the 19th century, praises a beautiful woman. It’s long been associated with Texas history and patriotism.
33. “Texas Women” – Hank Williams Jr.
Lyric Sample: “Drive a pickup truck, trust in God and luck, and I live to love Texas women.”
“Texas Women” celebrates women from across Texas, from small towns to bigger cities. It mixes humor, local pride, and a love for small-town life.
Conclusion
From cowboy ballads to heavy metal, Texas has inspired songs across nearly every genre. The state shows up in music as a place of romance, rebellion, heartbreak, and pride. Whether you’re into classic country, modern rap, or rock, there’s no shortage of songs tied to Texas life.
If you liked this list, check out our picks for Songs About California, Songs About Jail, and Songs About Trains.
