About The Song
“Lovebug” is an uptempo honky-tonk cover written by Wayne Kemp and Curtis Wayne. It was recorded by George Strait for his fourteenth studio album, Easy Come Easy Go, released on September 28, 1993, by MCA Nashville. Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait, the track features a swinging western swing arrangement with twin fiddles, steel guitar, and a driving rhythm, showcasing Strait’s affinity for classic country dance tunes. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and earned double Platinum certification from the RIAA.
The song was released in February 1994 as the fourth and final single from the album, following “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “I’d Like to Have That One Back,” and “The Man in Love with You.” It debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at number eight in May 1994, spending 20 weeks on the chart. This marked Strait’s 37th top-10 hit and provided a lively close to the album’s single run during his dominant mid-1990s period.
The lyrics humorously describe falling suddenly and deeply in love—being bitten by the “lovebug.” The narrator recounts meeting a girl, feeling an instant spark (“it started with a kiss”), and quickly becoming infatuated, with symptoms like sleepless nights and constant thoughts of her. References to the lovebug “biting” and spreading like an epidemic add playful charm, while the chorus celebrates the joyful affliction.
Wayne Kemp and Curtis Wayne originally wrote the song, with George Jones first recording it in 1965 on his album Love Bug, where it reached number six on the country chart. Buck Owens and others covered it in the 1960s, but George Jones’ version remains the best-known original. Strait’s 1993 revival introduced the classic to a new generation, fitting seamlessly with his neotraditional emphasis on swing and honky-tonk material.
Critics appreciated the track’s infectious energy and Strait’s enthusiastic delivery; reviews noted how the production captured authentic western swing without over-modernizing. Though no official music video was produced, live performances—often with extended fiddle breaks—became highlights in Strait’s shows, emphasizing the Ace in the Hole Band’s instrumentation. The song appears on compilations including 50 Number Ones (2004, in re-recorded form) and remains a fan favorite for its feel-good, danceable vibe.
“Lovebug” exemplified Strait’s skill at selecting and revitalizing country standards during a prolific era that included multiple number-one albums and singles, reinforcing his reputation for preserving traditional sounds amid 1990s contemporary shifts.
Video
Lyric
Well I was ruling the roost, had all the chicks to myself
And then suddenly it happened, that funny little feelin’ I felt
Well I tried to outrun it, but it finally caught up with me
Tell me how can I run from somethin’ that I can’t seeOh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug
Nobody’s ever seen it, but it’s got the whole world shook up
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug
It’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebugWell I always thought that I had me a pretty good style
But I lost that race by a good old country mile
Well I was walkin’ all around with my head held way up high
And it fooled me, hit me, really took me by surpriseOh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug
Nobody’s ever seen it, but it’s got the whole world shook up
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug
It’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebugIt’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug