Introduction:
Out of the Blue: The Story Behind George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky”
“Blue Clear Sky,” the title track from George Strait’s 1996 album of the same name, is a country ballad that speaks to the unexpected arrival of love. But the song’s origins hold a story almost as surprising as the love it describes.
Strait, known for his traditional country sound and unfussy persona, wasn’t initially sold on the title. In an interview with Billboard, he admitted to questioning the phrasing, preferring “Clear Blue Sky” as the more natural flow. However, the unconventional “Blue Clear Sky” stuck with him. This seemingly minor detail captures the essence of the song itself – the unexpected nature of love’s arrival.
Co-written by John Jarrard, Mark D. Sanders, and Strait himself, the song emerged from a conversation about the unusual title. Strait, intrigued by the unconventional phrasing, brought the idea to his songwriting partners. They took the off-kilter title and crafted a story around it: a tale of love found when least expected, a love that falls “out of the blue clear sky.”
Released in 1996, “Blue Clear Sky” became a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It wasn’t just a chart-topper; the song resonated with fans. The lyrics paint a picture of someone resigned to love’s disappointments, only to be surprised by a love that feels preordained, “like rain on the desert sand.”
“Blue Clear Sky” stands as a testament to the power of embracing the unexpected. It’s a song for those who’ve sworn off love, only to find it waiting around the corner. So, when the first notes of this George Strait classic begin, settle in and prepare for a journey that reminds us that love can arrive at any moment, even out of a “blue clear sky.”