"Damn Strait" is a tribute to country music singer George Strait.[2] McCreery told Everything Nash the story behind the song: "I was writing songs left and right, we had the songs put on there, but for me, when I heard a song 'Damn Strait', I immediately raised my hand and said, 'Me, me, me.' It's such a cool song. It's so cleverly written. And obviously I'm a massive George Strait fan. It just sounded so much like me."[3] When talking about Strait, McCreery said in a press release: "I grew up as a huge George Strait fan, and when I heard this song, I raised my hand to say, 'I want this one.' Every country fan has a George Strait story, and everyone has a memory attached to their favorite songs."[4]
Aaron Ryan of Whiskey Riff described the song as "a heartbreaker that tells the story of a relationship gone bad – a relationship that, like many in the '80s and '90s, was filled with George Strait tunes as its soundtrack."[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."[7]
The music video premiered on February 8, 2022. It was directed by Jeff Ray and filmed at the historic Gruene HallinNew Braunfels, Texas, a venue frequently played by Strait in his early career before he signed his record deal.[8]
"Damn Strait" peaked at number one on the BillboardCountry Airplay chart dated July 23, 2022, holding that position for three weeks and becoming McCreery's fifth consecutive number one single on that chart. In addition, it peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first Top 40 single on that chart since his debut single "I Love You This Big" peaked at number 11 in 2011.
