1982 | Peak: #6
“Marina Del Rey” was an early attempt by George Strait at recording a pensive and thoughtful ballad.
He wasn’t quite ready for it, yet. The lyrics are appropriately longing and sentimental for times gone by, but Strait hasn’t yet developed enough as a vocalist to pull off the mature performance required.
It’s basically the inverse of the problem at country radio today, where veteran artists are recording songs that they’re too mature for. Back in the early eighties, you actually had younger artists trying to sound older so they’d fit in.
The more things change…
Written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus
Grade: B
Listen: Marina Del Rey
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxgMs8ORcl8
I almost wish we still had that problem today.
I think this is actually my second favorite Strait song (after “Amarillo by Morning”). It has a certain dreamlike quality to it and it also brings me back to my childhood. My grandma used to love this song.
Like Michael, I’d place this up really high on my list of favorite Strait songs.
…i join michael and j.r. – one of my favourites by george strait. i’d probably wouldn’t like it as much though, if he’d said good bye in fort myers.