The song was written in 1995 by two of the founders of the original Dixie Chicks band, the Erwin sisters[2] (now known as Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer), who were accustomed to writing music and performing.

"[3] "You Were Mine" played a key role in bringing the Dixie Chicks from near-total obscurity to massive commercial success.

Based on a recommendation from session musician and producer Lloyd Maines, in the summer of 1995 the Erwin sisters invited Maines' daughter Natalie to return to her home in Lubbock, Texas to sing the lead vocal on a demo recording of the song, rather than using the Chicks' then-actual lead vocalist Laura Lynch to sing the part.

The music video for "You Were Mine", directed by Adolfo Doring, shows the Dixie Chicks checking into the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York.

The sisters go up to their rooms looking tired and forlorn, but Maines circles around the revolving door and walks the neighboring Gramercy streets, singing the song.