While there isn't a widely known academic "paper" titled after the song, "Amarillo by Morning" is a foundational subject for country music historians and critics exploring the of the 1980s. Song Significance and Analysis
Unlike the pop-heavy "Urban Cowboy" sound of the late '70s, Strait’s version features a fiddle-driven arrangement that helped bring traditional Texas sounds back to the mainstream. George Strait - Amarillo By Morning
Critics, such as Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe , note that the song's "simple arrangement and understated delivery" became the hallmark of Strait’s long career. While there isn't a widely known academic "paper"