About The Song
“Here for a Good Time” is an uptempo country anthem written by George Strait, his son George “Bubba” Strait Jr., and Dean Dillon. The original studio version was recorded by Strait as the title track and second single from his twenty-seventh studio album, Here for a Good Time, released on September 6, 2011, by MCA Nashville. Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait, the track features a lively arrangement with fiddle, steel guitar, and electric riffs. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200, certified Gold by the RIAA.
The studio single, released in June 2011, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and reached number 46 on the Hot 100. However, a notable live duet version with Sheryl Crow was recorded during Strait’s final concert of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour on June 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This performance, before a record-breaking crowd of over 104,000, featured Crow as a special guest alongside other artists. The live recording appears on the album The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium, released September 16, 2014, capturing the energetic crowd response and the chemistry between Strait and Crow.
The lyrics promote a carpe diem outlook: rejecting dwelling on past wrongs, viewing life as short, and focusing on enjoyment with friends, music, sunshine, and cold drinks. Lines like “I ain’t here for a long time / I’m here for a good time” became an instant mantra. The song’s creation involved a family collaboration at Strait’s Texas ranch, with Bubba contributing significantly—his first on a single release. Dillon, a longtime partner with over 70 Strait credits, helped refine the positive, no-regrets message.
Crow’s involvement stemmed from her participation in Strait’s farewell tour finale, where she also joined an all-star rendition of “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” Her raspy vocals complemented Strait’s smooth delivery, adding a rock edge to the country track. The duet highlighted cross-genre appeal, with Crow’s history in country collaborations fitting seamlessly. The live version runs approximately 2 minutes and 55 seconds, shorter than the studio cut due to performance pacing.
Critics and fans praised the duet for its joyful energy; outlets noted the crowd’s enthusiasm and the symbolic fitting of the song’s theme to Strait’s tour closer. The performance video received heavy play, emphasizing grins and shared stage presence between the icons. The track appears on digital platforms as “Here for a Good Time (Live)” credited to George Strait and Sheryl Crow.
The song endures as a staple in Strait’s post-tour selective shows, embodying his legacy of straightforward, feel-good country. The Crow collaboration remains a highlight of the historic 2014 concert, often cited for capturing pure celebration amid a career-spanning event.
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Lyric
I’m not gonna lay around and whine and moan
‘Cause somebody done done me wrong
Don’t think for a minute that I’m gonna sit around
And sing some old sad song
I believe it’s half-full not a half-empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my lastI ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone put it in stone “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good timeFolks are always dreaming ’bout what they’d like to do
But I like to do just what I like
I’ll take the chance, dance the dance
It might be wrong but then again it might be right
There’s no way of knowing when the fiddle’s in the wind
Tomorrow might be too late so I best get in lineI ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone put it in stone “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good timeI ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time