1987 Hit Ranked Among 'Best Country Songs of All Time' is a Breakup Anthem

There's something to be said for a great breakup anthem. From Def Leppard's "Love Bites" to Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," the rock music genre has plenty of memorable breakup tunes, but country music also delivers.

Now, a 1987 hit has been named one of the best country songs of all time, and it's a total breakup gem. So, if you're going through heartache or just want to hear a really good breakup track, turn this country song up to maximum volume.

Something that stands out about this track is that even though it's about past love, it doesn't take itself too seriously.

That song is George Strait with "All My Ex's Live in Texas." The song is simply classic Strait and also indicative of the modern country sound that was so popular in the 1980s.

George Strait Classic is a Song to Crank During Heartache, and It's a Funny One

"All My Ex's Live in Texas," penned by Whitey Shafer and his fourth wife, Lyndia Shafer, is a funny song with amusing lyrics about a cowboy trying to avoid seeing his old girlfriends.

The Opry has named the song one of the best country songs of all time, stating of the tune that it "quickly climbed to No. 1, earning Strait his first Grammy nomination and becoming one of his most iconic hits."

Nicole Judd of the Opry adds of the charming track: "While the song paints Texas as a state full of past heartbreaks (like Rosanna down in Texarkana and sweet Eileen in Abilene), Strait himself remains a proud Texan-making the song even more fun."

It's a true gem and snapshot of country music during this blooming era. "Whether you're singing along at a honky-tonk or laughing at its playful storytelling, this one's a certified country classic," Judd states.

Strait notched history with this song, too. According to research from Billboard, "Texas" arrived as the second of three Hot Country Songs No. 1s from Strait's record Ocean Front Property, coming out amid the album's title track and "Am I Blue." The song "became Strait's 11th of his record 44 leaders, which span from 'Fool Hearted Memory' in 1982 through "River of Love" in 2009," Billboard adds.

According to Song Facts, "In the original lyrics, the singer recalls how he learned to swim in the Brazos River, but Strait changed it to the Frio River, which winds through Texas Hill Country and was a familiar spot when he was growing up in nearby Poteet."

The George Strait Tune Reached No. 1 and Still Has Charm Today

"All My Ex's Live in Texas" still works and makes for an enjoyable listen because it never tries too hard to turn heartbreak into tragedy. It's playful, self-aware and just charming enough to get away with being a little ridiculous. Strait delivers the whole thing with that laid-back ease that makes the song feel less like a breakup confession and more like a guy grinning through his own bad decisions.

The song lasts because of that simple charm. The melody swings, the lyrics know exactly how funny they are and there's no bitterness weighing it down. In that sense, it's not a traditional breakup song. It's the kind of country song that understands heartbreak can be funny, especially when enough time has passed and the melody is catchy.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 3:01 AM.