Released in 1993, this track wasn’t just a chart-topping hit that launched Keith’s career; it became an anthem for a generation yearning for a simpler, more rugged life.
Now, to understand the impact of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” we have to delve into the musical landscape of the early 90s. Country music was experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. Pop-country was on the rise, with artists like Garth Brooks blurring the lines between genres.
Background
The song opens with a simple yet evocative guitar riff, a sonic lasso that immediately pulls you into the world Keith paints with his lyrics. The narrator, a man stuck in a monotonous office job, fantasizes about a life on the open range.
Lines like “Sitting in a cubicle, staring at a screen / I dream of dusty trails and fields of green” crystallize this yearning. This isn’t just about a job; it’s about a yearning for freedom, self-reliance, and a connection to the land – a classic theme in country music.
But “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” goes beyond mere romanticization. The lyrics hint at the harsh realities of cowboy life. We hear about the “scorching sun” and the “never-ending day,” a subtle reminder that this idyllic existence comes with its own set of challenges. This adds depth to the song, making the narrator’s fantasy all the more relatable.
Musically, the track is a masterclass in understated brilliance. Keith’s baritone voice, laced with a touch of gravel, perfectly embodies the character.
The instrumentation is spare, with a focus on clean Telecaster picking and a driving backbeat that evokes the rhythm of a galloping horse. There’s a sense of nostalgia woven into the melody, a longing for a bygone era.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I bet you’ve never heard ol’ Marshal Dillon sayMiss Kitty, have you ever thought of runnin’ away?Settlin’ down, would you marry meIf I asked you twice and begged you, pretty please?She’d have said, “Yes”, in a New York minuteThey never tied the knot, his heart wasn’t in itHe just stole a kiss as he rode awayHe never hung his hat up at Kitty’s placeI should’ve been a cowboyI should’ve learned to rope and rideWearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle driveStealin’ the young girls’ heartsJust like Gene and RoySingin’ those campfire songsWoah, I should’ve been a cowboyI might of had a sidekick with a funny nameRunnin’ wild through the hills chasin’ Jesse JamesEnding up on the brink of dangerRidin’ shotgun for the Texas RangersGo west young man, haven’t you been told?California’s full of whiskey, women and goldSleepin’ out all night beneath the desert starsWith a dream in my eye and a prayer in my heartI should’ve been a cowboyI should’ve learned to rope and rideWearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle driveStealin’ the young girls’ heartsJust like Gene and RoySingin’ those campfire songsWoah, I should’ve been a cowboyI should’ve been a cowboyI should’ve learned to rope and rideI’d be wearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle driveStealin’ the young girls’ heartsJust like Gene and RoySingin’ those campfire songsWoah, I should’ve been a cowboyYeah, I should’ve been a cowboyI should’ve been a cowboy
Harley