A version of the song recorded by its co-author Sanger D. Shafer appeared in the film Road House, the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and TV show Ash vs Evil Dead. Rapper Drake mentions the song in his single "HYFR".
The narrator declares that all four of his ex-partners live in various towns in the state of Texas (e.g. "sweet Eileen in Abilene"), and that is why he lives in Tennessee. The song is known for its Western Swing style rhythm.
All My Ex's Live In Texas
George Strait Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee
Rosanna's down in Texarkana
Wanted me to push her broom
Sweet Eileen's in Abilene
And Allison's in Galveston
Somehow lost her sanity
And Dimples who now lives in Temple's
Got the law looking for me
All my exes live in Texas
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee
I remember that old Frio River
Where I learned to swim
But it brings to mind another time
Where I wore my welcome thin
By transcendental meditation
I go there each night
But I always come back to myself
Long before daylight
All my exes live in Texas
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be
But all my exes live in Texas
Therefore I reside in Tennessee
Some folks think I'm hidin'
It's been rumored that I died
But I'm alive and well in Tennessee
The song “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” by George Strait talks about the singer’s ex-lovers, all of whom live in the state of Texas. The lyrics express the singer’s love for Texas, but he cannot go there because of his ex-lovers. He mentions various women he knew in Texas, and how they are doing now. The song also talks about his longing for the Frio River, a place where he swam in his youth, and how transcendental meditation helps him connect with it. He denies rumors of his death and states that he is alive in Tennessee.
The song reflects upon memories and experiences of the past. While he loves Texas, he cannot go there because of his exes, who are reminders of his past failures. The lyrics display a contrast between what the singer wants and what he must do, which creates a conflict within him. His longing for Texas and his sense of duty towards his present are juxtaposed. The song talks about how one must confront their past and move on, even if it means not being able to go to a place they love.
Line by Line Meaning
All my exes live in Texas
All of my former romantic partners reside in the state of Texas.
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be
I have a strong affection for the state of Texas and would like to live there if possible.
But all my exes live in Texas
Unfortunately, the fact that my exes live in Texas prevents me from living there.
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee
As a result, I have chosen to live in Tennessee instead.
Rosanna's down in Texarkana
One of my exes, named Rosanna, lives in Texarkana.
Wanted me to push her broom
Rosanna expected me to perform menial household chores for her.
Sweet Eileen's in Abilene
Another one of my exes, named Eileen, lives in Abilene.
She forgot I hung the moon
Eileen has forgotten how important I was to her.
And Allison's in Galveston
Yet another ex, named Allison, currently resides in Galveston.
Somehow lost her sanity
Allison has undergone a mental breakdown of some sort.
And Dimples who now lives in Temple's
My final ex, known as Dimples, now resides in Temple.
Got the law looking for me
It appears that Dimples has accused me of breaking the law in some way.
I remember that old Frio River
I have fond memories of swimming in the Frio River in Texas.
Where I learned to swim
It was in this river that I first became proficient in swimming.
But it brings to mind another time
However, the river also reminds me of a different period in my life.
Where I wore my welcome thin
During this time, I stayed in Texas for too long and wore out my welcome.
By transcendental meditation
I am able to reach deeply relaxed states through the practice of transcendental meditation.
I go there each night
Every night, I transport myself mentally to a peaceful place through meditation.
But I always come back to myself
Regardless of where my mind wanders, I always return to my own conscious awareness.
Long before daylight
I usually finish my meditation practice well before the sun comes up.
Some folks think I'm hidin'
Some people believe that I am deliberately trying to avoid being found.
It's been rumored that I died
There are even rumors circulating that I may have died.
But I'm alive and well in Tennessee
In reality, I am living happily in the state of Tennessee.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lyndia J Shafer, Sanger D Shafer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shannon Beeler
on The Fireman
Tara we know how much you miss spending the 4th of July with David, so we thought this may make you feel a little better! Love ya!