George Strait's "Greatest Hits" was released in 1985 and contains his first 10 hits. It's an incredible collection and shows why George has been so successful. From the very beginning, he's worked with some of the best songwriters and producers in the business, which really shows in this work. George has had a ton of hits and is now the #5 country artists of all-time. It all started with these songs.

1) Unwound - George's first hit kick-started his enduring career by peaking at #6 in 1981. A terrific up-tempo song with lots of fiddles, it was the first of many hits he recorded written or co-written by Dean Dillon. This amusing song about drinking away your problems contains this amusing lyric - Cause that woman that I had/ Wrapped around my finger just a come unwound. Terrific stuff.

2) Down and Out - A great swing song. This song only went to #16 in 1981, but it would be more than a decade before another one of his hits stopped short of the Top 10.

3) If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home) - George's first Top 3 hit (#3 in 1982) is one of his best songs ever. The story of a couple growing apart, the song manages to pack in amazing variety in under 3 minutes.

4) Fool Hearted Memory - George's first #1 hit (#1 for one week in 1982) is a beautiful up-tempo ballad about a man remembering an old love.

5) Marina Del Rey - Was George's first hit slow ballad (#6 in 1983). It has some really lovely lyrics, such as: And as we looked into each others eyes/ We found our bodies lost in paradise/ Like castaways/ In Marina Del Ray.

6) Amarillo By Morning - Simply my favorite song by George (#4 in 1983). A true classic about a bull rider, CMT deservedly named it one of the Top 10 country songs of all time. The lyrics are so evocative, starting with the incredible beginning (Amarillo by morning/ Up from San Antone) and the best lyrics in any Strait song - Well I'll be looking for eight/ When they pull that gate/ And I'm hoping that/ Judge ain't blind. The fade-out with violins is a haunting and apropos ending.

7) A Fire I Can't Put Out - George's second #1 hit (#1 for one week in 1983) is another story of a past love.

8) You Look So Good in Love - Includes a somewhat sappy spoken-word interlude (#1 for one week in 1984). It's not one of my favorites on the CD but quite smooth.

9) Right or Wrong - George got back to recording some hit swing with this song (#1 for one week in 1984). It sounds contemporary but could have been recorded by Hank Williams; an extraordinary song.

10) Let's Fall to Pieces Together - A sweet ballad about finding solace in the arms of another when you're in pain (#1 for one week in 1984).

This CD is a must-have for fans of George Strait and country music; every song on here is quite good. Although his later box set includes all of these songs, I like having this collection as well, as it has absolutely no filler. Most highly recommended.

I bought "George Strait- Greatest Hits" after buying "Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" and I have to say that I've never made a wiser choice music-wise. It's got all of his early singles including my personal favorite and just downright haunting "Amarillo By Morning". You just can't help singing along to "Fool Hearted Memory" or "If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger" or "Let's Fall To Pieces Together". If you can't handle traditional country music, this isn't your cd. If you are though and you're looking to add to your country or Strait collection, you just can't pass this one up.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

If I could take just one single CD with me to a deserted island this would be the one. One classic after another-Unwound, If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger, Right or Wrong, Let's Fall to Pieces Together, and the hauntingly sad Amarillo By Morning. I could hear them all a thousand times and never get tired of them. I'm sure everyone has those certain songs that they like to sing along with in the car and they don't care who's watching and I'm no exception. THESE are the songs that I sing along to, and I couldn't care less who is watching. I may look like a complete idiot going down the road, but that's OK because I'm singing along with my music hero George Strait. "Pardon me, you left your tears on the jukebox..." from Let's Fall to Pieces Together-could there be a better opening line to a song in the history of country music? I THINK NOT!

His first 10 great hits assembled on a must-have cd for any country fan. Even if because of current country radio you are only familiar with Strait's more recent stuff, grab this one anyway. With one listen you will love it.

Great George Strait album because this is the music that made him a star. This has got to be his best greatest hits package so far he has released many but this one sticks out for the great songs it shows. Best all around song here is Amarillo by morning and many others. Probably a must have cd for all George Strait fans and anyone who is a fan of contempary country music of today.