I hate to admit this, but as a child, I wasn’t a fan of the country music my mother played music. But since I sold my first contemporary western romance in 2011, I’ve come to love it. The other day I thought about how many great songs have cowboy in the title. The first one that popped into my mind was “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” by Willie Nelson. For fun, I ran a searched to find others.
The first site on my search was http://www.myweddingsongs.com. The irony is the day before I wrote this post, I turned in revisions on To Marry A Texas Cowboy which comes out in September. In that book, my hero temporarily manages his grandmother’s wedding planning business! When I went to the website, I discovered the fourth 
Saturday in July is the Day of the Cowboy. If I’d known, July 25th would’ve found me in my recliner watching cowboy movies. Then I would’ve sat on the patio with a cool drink and listened to cowboy songs.
Since I missed this year’s day, I’m compiling my Day of the Cowboy playlist for Saturday July 24, 2021. Here’s my list so far.
Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys by Waylon and Willie
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? by Paula Cole
Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith
Cowboys and Angels by Garth Brooks
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) by Big and Rich
Cowboy Casanova by Carried Underwood
Cowboy Take Me Away by The Chicks
The Cowboy Rides Away by George Strait
Don’t Call Him Cowboy by Conway Twitty
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson
The Cowboy in Me by Tim McGraw
Whatcha Gonna Do With a Cowboy by Chris LeDoux
Cowboy Love by John Michael Montgomery
Asphalt Cowboy by Jason Aldean
The Cowboy’s Hat by Chris LeDoux
Cowboy’s Back in Town by Trace Adkins
100% Cowboy by Jason Meadows
Cowboys and Angels by Garth Brooks
My Cowboy by Jessie James
Cowboys Like Us by George Strait
All Around Cowboy by Waylon Jennings
Cowboy Logic by The Charlie Daniels Band
Cowboys Are My Weakness by Trisha Yearwood (Oh, yes! Mine too!)
I Want a Cowboy by Reba McEntire
I Ain’t Her Cowboy Anymore by George Strait
Broken Down Cowboy
And two non-country music entries…
Put the Boy Back in Cowboy by Bon Jovi
I Wannt Be a Cowboy by Boys Don’t Cry
(This has a great video if you love watching Jon Bon Jovi!)
Since I was having a great time and in a wonderful mood after listening to many of the above, I searched for best songs about cowboys, and I had to include these.
Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
Desperado by The Eagles
The songs that spoke to me as I compiled my list were “Cowboy Logic” by The Charlie Daniels Band, “I Want a Cowboy” by Reba McEntire, and “100% Cowboy” by Jason Meadows. To listen to those, click on the song title. Now I have another way to brighten the day when I’m feeling blue–listen to songs with cowboy in the title!
To be entered in the random drawing for the brand wine glass, the wine cover and a copy of Home on the Range: Colorado Rescue, leave a comment stating your favorite song with cowboy in the title and why you like it.
Julie Benson has written five novels for Harlequin American, and her Wishing, Texas series is available from Tule Publishing. Now that her three sons have left the nest in Dallas, when she isn't writing, Julie spends her time working on home improvement projects, rescuing dogs, and visiting Texas wineries with her husband. Visit her at www.juliebenson.net.
I’ve always loved The Chicks, “Cowboy Take Me Away.”
denise
The Highwaymen sang “The Last Cowboy Song,” if you need another for your list. The Highwaymen are Waylon, Johnny, Willie, and Kris.
Great choice! And what a great group, The Highwaymen!
Denise, I definitely need to add “The Last Cowboy Song” to my list. Anything by Waylon, Johnny, Willie and Kris has to be fabulous! I love The Chicks “:Cowboy Take Me Away” too. There were so many great songs on this list I had trouble picking. The ones I mentioned that really spoke to me were all songs I listened to for the first time yesterday. Thanks for stopping by to chat today.
It’s a toss up between The Dixie Chicks and Big and Rich…lol Depends on my mood which one is my fave. 😀
Sabrina, “Save a Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” is one of my favorites, too! If I’m the least down, it get me moving and makes me smile. I’d love to know the story behind how they came up with that song. Thanks for stopping by the corral today. Stay safe!
Should have been a cowboy by Toby Keith
Charlene, that’s a good one, too. I love the reference to Matt Dillon and Miss KItty. Thanks for stopping by today. Stay safe.
Mama’s don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Another great choice and of course, a classic. I love the line “Them that don’t know him won’t like him and them that do
Sometimes won’t know how to take him.” It’s so true. We think of the cowboy as that strong, loner who lets very few people get to know him. But for those he knows and loves, he’d do just about anything for. Thanks for stopping by the corral today. Take care and stay safe.
Wow, so many earworms, so little time! Thanks for the memories, Julie!
Laura, but at least they’re wonderful earworms. I was going to mention an awful one about a shark, but won’t because just thinking about yucky and that one’s now stuck in my head. I need to quick listen to a good cowboy song to get rid of it. So glad you’ve joined us in the corral!
Only song I can think of is i’m a Poor Lonesome Cowboy, that Lucky Luke sings in the end of every story in Lucky Luke comic books (and animations) written by René Goscinny and Morris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao6yD3bkyAU
Minna, I listened to it and it’s fun. That one singer has a LOW voice. 🙂 I suppose cowboy songs and movies aren’t as big where you are as they are in the western US. I live in Texas so it’s such a part of our history. My son went to Texas A&M University. They have a vet school and a strong agriculture program. Put that all together with being an hour or so from Houston and the place has a real cowboy feel. Everyone wears cowboy boots, hats, the whole deal. Girls will wear shorts with their cowboy boots. That’s why in my Wishing Texas series, even my next hero Zane who works in the gaming industry is still a cowboy.
Thanks for chatting today. Stay safe.
Cowboy by Kid Rock but I can’t pass up Bon Jovi.
Cathy, I like the Kid Rock song, too and I’m a love anything Bon Jovi. If you love Bon Jovi you have GOT to check out this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekM-NREJtLo (If the link doesn’t come through, search for the song on Youtube.) It full of Jon dancing and as he says, “shaking his money maker.” I like “Put the Boy Back in Cowboy” because I love stories with city and country characters. To Love A Texas Cowboy and To Catch A Texas Cowboy pair Texas cowboys with New York City gals. Listening to the Bon Jovi made me think about writing one with a country girl and a city guy. I could be fun, too.
Thanks for stopping by today, fellow Bon Jovi fan. Stay safe.
What a fun idea, Julie! And I love your playlist. Next year, we’ll all be ready for Day of the Cowboy on July 24th! I love the lyrics to Cowboys Are My Weakness by Trisha Yearwood.
Sharon, I’m so glad you liked the idea. I had a great time writing this and listening to songs. I needed it after turning in my latest book on Sunday. I just couldn’t think because my brain was fried. I pulled up the lyrics and that second verse made my heart go pitter patter. Especially loved, “A man who takes his time, you know what I mean y’all
Gets a little rowdy, a little out of hand But when he’s around your mama he says ‘Yes ma’am'” Oh, my goodness! Does that describe a cowboy, and cowboy heroes in a romance novel! Love it! Thanks for mentioning it. I may need to have this one on a creating my hero or writing my love scene playlist. Thanks for pointing this song out! Stay safe and thanks for stopping by today.
Mine would have to be Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell.
Debra, Rhinestone Cowboy is another classic. You can’t go wrong picking that one. So sad that we lost Glen Campbell to such a terrible disease. But he showed us how strong the emotional connection is to music. His family said when he couldn’t remember other things, he still remembered songs.
Stay safe and thanks for stopping by to chat.
I think you’ve hit it with your song list. So many great tunes.
Janine, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now all I have to do is compile it into a playlist. I don’t usually listen to music when I write. When I’ve tried it, I end up singing along to the songs instead of writing, but I may be able to listen to this playlist as a warm up to writing. And of course, I’m set for Day of the Cowboy next year. Thanks for stopping by today and stay safe.
Mine would have to be My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Willie Nelson. I am still very fond of Willie right now. You still mentioned a lot of other songs I like. You didn’t mention any by Marty Robins and he had a lot of cowboy songs.
How did I miss the Marty Robins’ songs? I wonder why none came up when I searched for songs with cowboy in the title. I may need to do further research. I love so many of Willie’s songs. His voice is so incredible. It always makes me relax and calm down. I also admire his humanitarian work, helping farmers and wild horses. Thanks for stopping by today. Stay safe!
just heard Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy on the way to work this morning!!
Teresa, that’s cool. I haven’t heard it on the radio in ages. I think I may need to listen to that song now. I really want to know what gave them the idea for that song. I keep thinking has to be a good story behind it. I mean, otherwise why would they have the girls say, “Save a horse, ride a cowboy”? Okay, now that burning question is stuck in my head. Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by. Stay safe!
My favorite is Don’t Call Him A Cowboy by Conway Twitty. Country is my favorite genre of music.
Estella, that’s a great one! I love how it says that the clothes don’t make a cowboy. I love how it says it won’t tell you what’s inside. For me, the cowboy code, as we often call it is what makes a cowboy. I love how country music often tells a story. It’s such a personal genre.
Stay safe and thanks for stopping by the corral today.
You just can’t beat The Last Cowboy Song with Willie, Waylon, Johnny and Kris.
Melanie, you’re the second person who chose that as a favorite. I definitely need to listen to it and add it to my playlist. I don’t know how I missed that one. Take care, stay safe and have a super day!
I like all the songs you mentioned but my favorite is Willie Nelson “All My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys”.
I like to read stories with “cowboy heroes” in them. Seems like a cowboy always had the qualities I have liked in a HERO.
I think the singer of great cowboy songs was Marty Robbins-a great storyteller.
Joye, thank you for commenting today. I still can’t believe I didn’t think of Marty Robbins. I definitely need to add his cowboys songs to my playlist. Stay safe and thanks for stopping by today.
I have been a fan of Carrie Underwood’s from the beginning
Colleen, good choice. Her song Cowboy Casanova is on my list. Thanks for stopping by to chat today and stay safe.
I love this list!! Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith is one of my favorites because it has ties to my drivers training. We would blare that on the radio when we were doing practice! Back in those days (a long time ago) drivers ed was much more relaxed.
Susan, what a fun memory. Thank you for sharing it with us today. Great to talk to you today. Stay safe.
I never realized there were so many songs with cowboy in the title. My favorite is Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith. The 2009 video is my favorite of those on line. He looks so young and it gives a little flavor of the west. The song itself covers the history and essence of the cowboy. For an oldie, “A Cowboy Has To Sing” by The Sons Of The Pioneers is fun.
Thanks for the good music list. I’ll have to check out some of these I have never heard of before.
Stay safe and healthy.
Patricia, I’ll have to check out Toby Keith’s video. I had a lot of fun doing this research. I don’t think I found nearly all the songs with cowboy in the title. I was pretty amazed how many there were too! Thank you for stopping by the corral today, and you stay safe as well.
I’m thinking for me, it has to be Toby Keith’s Should of Been a Cowboy. Or, ANY of George Strait’s! You can’t go wrong with any song by him! I also like Rhinestone Cowboy by Glenn Campbell.
Trudy, you’ve picked out some good songs! I’m a fan of George’s Strait’s “Here For A Good Time.” I heard that song and thought it summed up Zane in To Marry A Texas Cowboy that comes out in September. I even have him refer to the song. Thank you for stopping by to chat today, and stay safe.
I was Born To Be A Cowboy by Red Steagall
But of course any song by George is my favorite.
Tonya, those are great choices! Thank you so much for stopping by the corral. Stay safe, girl!
I’m not familiar with a lot of country songs….
No worries, Caryl. I’m just glad you stopped by to chat. There are some good ones in my list if you get adventurous! Stay safe.
Of course, there are a host of songs from the old “singing cowboys” like Roy and Gene, plus more.
Denise, I forgot to consider those…
I used to love “Like a Rhinestone Cowboy” Thanks for the chance, I love love “Happy Trails to You” it doesn’t have the word cowboy on it, but it was written and sung by a Cowboy. 🙂
Alicia, can you imagine how long my list would be if I included songs about cowboys or sung by ones? The list would be huge! It shows what an important part of the US’s history is wrapped up with cowboys. Thanks for stopping by and stay safe!
I’m not very familiar with country music songs, but I did like the song Rhinestone Cowboy.
Diana, I like country music more now with artists like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley (check out his song Mud on the Tires), Jason Aldean and Toby Keith. Thanks for commenting. Take care and stay safe.
I like all the songs on your list but one song that I have remembered since my childhood is I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart. Gene Autry sang it in a lot of the western movies we watched on Saturday’s at the local theater.
Jackie, I’ve been surprised how many songs I missed in my search. I need to listen to the Gene Autry song. First because it’s Gene Autry, and secondly because what a great title. Thanks for sharing it with me and stay safe.
As a huge fan of country music, I love all of these songs and would have to add one more: “The Last Cowboy Song” by Ed Bruce. If you haven’t ever heard it, go look it up. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
So many great ones on this list, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I like “The Cowboy in Me” by Tim McGraw because it talks about frustrating qualities of cowboys that we tend to admire at the same time. I also love “Cowboys and Angels” by Dustin Lynch (I’ll have to look to see if it’s the same as the Garth Brooks version). The video was it’s own little romance. And then you can add “I Wanna Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart” to the list, just because it’s a fun one.