This report examines the song "" by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea , primarily focusing on the version released in 1989 on his multi-platinum album The Road to Hell . 1. Song Overview and History
: At the time, critics praised its "nicely loose" feel and the "optimism" it provided amidst the darker social commentary of The Road to Hell . The Atlantic has since described it as a testament to the "European fascination" with the Lone Star State.
: Interestingly, despite the American theme, the video was filmed over three days at an American army camp in Berlin rather than in Texas itself. It occasionally uses live footage from Rea's 1990 Wembley Arena performances. 4. Commercial and Critical Reception Chris Rea - Texas
: It is characterized by its blues-rock influence, featuring Rea’s signature gravelly baritone and "weeping" slide guitar. 3. Production and Media
: Produced by Rea and Jon Kelly , the track features Max Middleton on keyboards and Martin Ditcham on percussion. This report examines the song "" by British
: The more famous iteration, released as the fourth single from The Road to Hell on April 23, 1990 . 2. Composition and Themes
: Rea wrote the song after a conversation with a neighbor about the state's vast, open roads and lack of traffic—a stark contrast to the gridlock of British motorways that themed much of the album. The Atlantic has since described it as a
: The song portrays Texas as a mythical "green pasture" or a euphemism for escape . Rea has noted that the character in the song sees Texas as a "big Western apple in the sky" where there is no trouble, though Rea himself acknowledged that the reality of the state could be far more complex.