George Strait – Blue Clear Sky

About The Song

“Blue Clear Sky” is an uptempo country song written by Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, and Mark D. Sanders. It was recorded by George Strait as the title track and lead single from his sixteenth studio album, Blue Clear Sky, released on April 23, 1996, by MCA Nashville. Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait, the track was cut at Emerald Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The lively arrangement features a catchy steel guitar introduction weaving throughout, blending traditional country elements with contemporary polish.

The single was released in March 1996 and debuted at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It reached number one on June 8, 1996, spending three weeks at the summit and becoming Strait’s 29th career chart-topper. The album itself debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200, earning 3× Multi-Platinum certification from the RIAA for shipments exceeding three million copies. Three subsequent singles—”Carried Away,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” and “King of the Mountain”—also charted, with the first two reaching number one.

The song’s narrative describes the sudden arrival of true love after a period of disillusionment, using the metaphor of something unexpected emerging “out of the blue clear sky.” The structure includes two verses, a repeating chorus, and a bridge highlighting love’s unpredictable nature—one day abandoning dreams, the next selecting a ring.

The title phrase originated with DiPiero, who conceived it while watching the 1994 film Forrest Gump in a theater. A line in the movie—”out of the blue clear sky”—struck him as a fresh twist on the common idiom “out of the clear blue sky.” Despite initial skepticism from co-writers Jarrard and Sanders, who noted its backward phrasing, they proceeded. When Strait and producer Brown considered recording it, they nearly altered the title to “Clear Blue Sky,” prompting a direct phone call to DiPiero for clarification. Upon learning its cinematic origin, Strait retained the original wording, later admitting the unique phrasing contributed to the song’s distinctive appeal.

Critics praised the track’s effervescent energy and melodic hook. AllMusic’s Thom Owens highlighted the album’s exceptional songwriting, while reviews noted the song’s fit within 1990s contemporary country radio without compromising Strait’s traditional style. The album won CMA and ACM Album of the Year awards in 1996. Dierks Bentley covered the song for the 2009 television special George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert.

“Blue Clear Sky” appears on compilations such as 50 Number Ones (2004) and remains a staple in Strait’s live performances, including versions from his Astrodome shows and later tours. It exemplifies Strait’s mid-1990s dominance, contributing to his record-setting streak of number-one hits and underscoring his status as a consistent purveyor of high-quality country material amid the era’s evolving sounds.

Video

Lyric

You swear you’ve had enough
You’re ready to give up
On that little lie they call love
Then out of the blue clear sky

Fallin’ right into your hands
Like rain on the desert sand
It’s the last thing you had planned
Then out of the blue clear sky

Here she comes a-walkin’ talkin’ true love
Sayin’ I been lookin’ for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky

Ain’t love a funny thing
One day you’re givin’ up the dream
And the next you’re pickin’ out a ring
Out of the blue clear sky

Here she comes a-walkin’ talkin’ true love
Sayin’ I been lookin’ for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky

Here she comes a-walkin’ talkin’ true love
Sayin’ I been lookin’ for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky

Out of the blue clear sky