The song was written by Jim Collins and Trent Tomlinson, and produced by Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis, and Derek Wells.

Every country fan has a George Strait story, and everyone has a memory attached to their favorite songs.

"[5] Lauren Boisvert of Outsider wrote that it is "a picture of a relationship ended and the scars that music can leave on you when you associate it with a certain time or person in your life" that quotes the George Strait songs "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her" (1986), "Marina del Rey" (1982), "Blue Clear Sky" (1996), "Give It Away" (2006), "I Hate Everything" (2004), and "Baby Blue" (1988).

[6] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called the title "clever" and McCreery's delivery "warm and personal", writing that the "twist on the phrase 'Damn Strait' [...] takes this song to a new level.

It was directed by Jeff Ray and filmed at the historic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, a venue frequently played by Strait in his early career before he signed his record deal.