Country Music Legend George Strait Immortalized His Love For Tequila And His Wife With “Código”

If you know George Strait, then you’d know he always loved a good bottle of tequila. And he loved it so much that he wrote a song about it: “Código.” 

This song was the namesake of Código 1530, an ultra-premium spirits brand he has publicly backed for years, and it was co-written with his son Bubba Strait and fellow songwriter and longtime collaborator Dean Dillon. 

The legendary country singer also produced the single along with Chuck Ainlay as the seventh track for his album Honky Tonk Machine. He released it in December 2018 ahead of his scheduled sold-out shows in Las Vegas, and it was also his first new music following his 2016 track “Goin’ Goin’ Gone,” which came from his album Strait Out of the Box: Part 2.

Meaning Behind The Song 

“If it’s not your favorite, you haven’t tried it.” That was what George Strait said about his Anejo Tequila. 

Strait wasn’t too familiar with tequila in his early days as he had always been a whiskey guy, and the few times he drank with friends, it was always a quick shot. Then, they would bring out the limes and salt to get the taste of the liquor out of their mouths as fast as they could. 

It wasn’t until about the late 2000s, when he started vacationing more often in Mexico and got to taste an unnamed tequila from a little distillery in Amatitán made for local friends and family that he appreciated it. 

He realized that all the additives other tequila companies put in probably made him dislike it in his first few tries. Since then, it has become his drink of choice. As it would happen, he ultimately decided to take the plunge and invest in it with friends to share it with the rest of the world, and they named the brand Código 1530. He would also come to write a song about it. 

“Código” melds the juke-joint tune of southwest Mexico and Texas with its accordion and fiddle. It’s lighthearted and carefree, perfect for a couple of tequila shots. But not just that, the song is also an ode to his wife, Norma Strait, whom he considers the best company to share it with. 

George Strait’s wife even made a rare cameo in the song’s music video, filmed at the Mexican distillery where their tequila is made. She first appeared at the scenic outdoor bar along with friends. Then, at the end of the video, she joined her husband for a dance with other couples. 

Catch George Strait’s “Código” in the video below, and check out other George Strait songs while you’re at it. They’re definitely worth the listen.