About the song
Some artists don’t just sing songs; they embody them. **George Strait**, the “King of Country,” has spent decades telling stories through music, and few songs capture his legacy better than **“Troubadour.”** Released in 2008 as the title track of his album, this song is a heartfelt reflection on a life spent in the spotlight—yet it resonates with anyone who has ever looked back on their journey and seen both change and consistency staring back at them.
What makes **“Troubadour”** so powerful is its simplicity. The melody is classic country—warm, steady, and unpretentious—while the lyrics carry a deep wisdom that only time can bring. Strait sings from the perspective of a man who has aged but hasn’t lost his passion for the music, the road, and the stories that come with them. He acknowledges that while youth may fade, the spirit of a troubadour—a traveling musician, a storyteller—never truly does.
The song’s opening lines set the tone immediately: *“I still feel 25 most of the time / I still raise a little Cain with the boys.”* Right away, there’s a sense of nostalgia, but not regret. This isn’t a song about longing for the past—it’s about appreciating every stage of life. As the chorus declares, *“I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song / And I’ll be an old troubadour when I’m gone,”* there’s a quiet confidence, an understanding that the love of music and storytelling doesn’t fade with time—it deepens.
Part of what makes this song so effective is Strait’s delivery. He doesn’t oversell the emotion; instead, he lets the words and the melody do the work. His voice, rich and steady, carries the weight of experience, making every line feel lived-in and authentic.
For longtime fans, **“Troubadour”** is more than just a song—it’s a personal statement from an artist who has never needed flash or gimmicks to remain relevant. Even as trends in country music shift, Strait stays true to his sound, proving that a great song, much like a true troubadour, never really fades away.
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Lyrics
I still feel twenty five
Most of the time
I still raise a little cain with the boys
Honky Tonks and pretty women
Lord I’m still right there with them
Singing above the crowd and the noiseSometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneWell, the truth about a mirror
It’s that a damn old mirror
Don’t really tell the whole truth
It don’t show what’s deep inside
Oh read between the lines
It’s really no reflection of my youthSometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneI was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m goneI’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone
