George Strait’s “The Breath You Take” Reminds You To Enjoy Life

The reigning King of Country Music has proven why he’s earned that title throughout his career. Ten years ago, he released another Top 10 hit song, “The Breath You Take.” It was George Strait’s fourth single from his album Twang. The song peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Song charts and has received Grammy Awards nomination in the “Best Country Song” in 2011.

Written by veteran songwriter Dean Dillon, along with his daughter Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard, the song sings about enjoying and realizing the important moments in life, whether it may be big or small. It’s a father’s reminder that “Life’s not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.”

The Story Behind The Poignant Song

Dean Dillion gives us a glimpse of the song’s story and revealed that it was actually his daughter’s idea.

“She brought it to the table. I thought it was great. I called Casey, who’s a good buddy of mine. We met at my office the next day and did what songwriters do,” he said. Jessie Jo Dillon added that she had the title for a while.

“I brought it into the session when writing with Dad and Casey,” the younger Dillion recalled. “I threw out the idea, and they really jumped on it. We went from there. Casey is really into sports and stuff, so we got off on that in the first verse. It was a really fast write. We finished it in about an hour. It was really neat because we wrote it, and we were really excited about it.”

And who would cut it better than the King of Country, George Strait?

George Strait liked the song so much, which was a huge honor to Jessie Jo. “That was amazing! He put it on hold just from the work tape which artists hardly do anymore,” she said. “Dad went down with George to the studio when he was recording it. I still remember the day they called and said he cut it … I cried! It was one of the last songs he did for the album.”

George Strait performed the song live for the very first time during the Country Music Association Awards in 2010. He took the main stage in a classic black jacket with a white dress shirt and, of course, his signature cowboy hat. 

Don’t miss George Strait’s incredible performance below!