2008 Classic Ballad Is a Fan-Favorite Country Song, But It Never Hit No. 1
George Strait has had over 40 Billboard No. 1 hits, but fans might be surprised to know that "Troubadour" wasn't one of them.
The 2008 ballad was released as single in June 2008, a few months after being featured on Strait's 25th studio album of the same name. The album would end up winning Strait a Grammy for Best Country Album in 2009, but the title track surprisingly didn't even crack the top 5 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Instead, "Troubadour" peaked at No. 7 in the fall of 2008.
But despite never earning the No. 1 spot on the charts, "Troubadour" is still regarded as a fan-favorite track from Strait. In fact, it was voted by fans as one of the Opry's 100 Greatest Country Songs in November 2025.
Other songs by Strait that made the Opry's fan-voted list include "Amarillo By Morning," which also never hit No. 1 on the country charts, plus some of his chart-topping hits like "I Cross My Heart," "The Chair" and "All My Ex's Live in Texas."
While there are a few songs from Strait's catalog that haven't reached the summit on the charts, Strait has had plenty of chart-toppers throughout his career. He's had 44 singles reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, and over 60 overall No. 1 hits on other charts, earning his first-ever No. 1 hit in 1982 with "Fool Hearted Memory."
Some of Strait's longest running chart-toppers include "I've Come To Expect It From You" which reigned for five weeks in 1990, plus 1997's "One Night at a Time" (5 weeks), 1997's "Carrying Your Love With Me" (4 weeks) and 1999's "Write This Down" (4 weeks).
Related: 1999 Rock-Infused Country Anthem Became a Feel-Good Classic, Despite Never Hitting No. 1
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 5:09 PM.