40 Best Cowboy-themed Songs for a Country Wedding Playlist
Last Updated: July 9, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
What better way to celebrate the American cowboy than a list of cowboy songs? Cowboys are horse riding, gun carrying, cowboy hat-wearing, cowboy boots wearing, cattle driving, and tough as nails.
A great day to play cowboy songs is on the 4th Saturday in July – the Day of the Cowboy.
Cowboys are out in the field rain or shine producing the best beef for all to eat (among other things). When you think of cowboy songs, you automatically think of country music.
However, not all songs on our list are of the country genre. We also included different styles of rock and R&B.
Spotify Cowboy Playlist
Top 20 Trending Cowboy Songs
- “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks (Country – 1999)
- “Cowboy” by Kid Rock (Rock – 1998)
- “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood (Country – 2009)
- “The Cowboy In Me” by Tim McGraw (Country – 2001)
- “Cowboy Up” by Amy Clawson (Country – 2007)
- “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” by Toby Keith (Country – 1993)
- “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” by Big & Rich (Country – 2004)
- “cowboy in LA” by LANY (Pop – 2020)
- “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson (Country – 1978)
- “Cowboy” by Emma White (Country – 2022)
- “Cowboi Boogie” by Meechie, Big Mucci (Dance – 2020)
- “Cowboy Take Me Away” by Carly Pearce (Country – 2020)
- “The Cowboy Rides Away” by George Strait (Country – 1984)
- “Cowboy like me” by Taylor Swift (Alternative – 2020)
- “Cowboys Like Us” by George Strait (Country – 2003)
- “Cowboys and Angels” by Dustin Lynch (Country – 2012)
- “Cowboys and Angels” by Jesse Murph (Pop – 2023)
- “Love Is A Cowboy” by Kelsea Ballerini (Country – 2022)
- “Cowboy Like Me” by Cody Johnson (Country – 2014)
- “Cowboy Boots” by Dierks Bentley, Ashley McBryde (Country – 2023)
Popular Songs About Cowboys
cowboy in LA – LANY
Released in 2020 on the album mama’s boy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
But I got a different kind of heart
I’m a cowboy, a cowboy in L.A.
A cowboy in L.A.
Like A Cowboy – Parker McCollum
Released in 2020 on the album Hollywood Gold
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Say goodbye to the things that I’ve done
And I’ll fly like the wind to the sunset
Just like a cowboy should do
A Few More Cowboys – Toby Keith
Released in 2020 on the album A Few More Cowboys
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
With a few more yes ma’ams and a lot less yes man
This world would be a better place to live in
With a few more cowboys
Ain’t Always The Cowboy – Jon Pardi
Released in 2019 on the album Heartache Medication
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Searchin’ for somethin’
Leavin’ love in the dust of a midnight Chevrolet
It ain’t always the cowboy that rides away
Ghetto Cowboy – YelaWolf
Released in 2019 on the album Ghetto Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Downhill with no brakes, m’r
M.W.A., yeah, m’r
Ghetto cowboy (Ooh)
Broken Cowboy – The Dead South
Released in 2019 on the album Sugar & Joy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Well I, I am a broken Cowboy
And I don’t feel right no more
‘Cause I am a broken Cowboy
Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves
Released in 2018 on the album Golden Hour
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When a horse wants to run
There ain’t no sense in closing the gate
You can have your space, cowboy
A Cowboy Can – Josh Ward
Released in 2018 on the album More Than I Deserve
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
A cowboy can, a real cowboy will
Turn his collar up high with his back to the wind, sling that saddle on again
Well the nights get cold and the highway never ends
Not many folks can live this life, but a cowboy can
Hippies and Cowboys – Cody Jinks
Released in 2018 on the album Less Wise
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Yeah, tomorrow I’ll be gone
So tonight everybody just sing along
Raising hell with the hippies and the cowboys
Cowboys and Angels – Dustin Lynch
Released in 2012
Genre: Country
Lyric Quote:
My touch is her temptation
Her kiss is my salvation
She’s sweet, I’m wild, we’re dangerous
Cowboys and angels
Cowboy’s Back In Town – Trace Adkins
Released in 2010 on the album Cowboy’s Back in Town
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
This high rise life she’s living is beginning to get her down
But it’s all better now, it’s so much better now, its all better now
‘Cause her cowboy’s back in town
My Cowboy – Jessie James
Released in 2009 on the album Jessie James
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Show me off to all your friends
Rub my back and call me baby
If you wanna be my cowboy
Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
Released in 2009
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He’s a good time cowboy Casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
He looks like a cool drink of water
But he’s candy-coated misery
American Cowboy – Jada
Released in 2009 on the album American Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
What would you do? Would you sacrifice it all for me?
How would you like if I woo-woo-yeah?
I need an all American cowboy
100% Cowboy – Jason Meadows
Released in 2007 on the album 100% Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Well I’m up at the crack of dawn work till the suns gone. I ain’t got time for no crap.
No in not one of them posing pretty boys.
I’m an every day all the way 100% cowboy
Asphalt Cowboy – Jason Aldean
Released in 2005 on the album Jason Aldean
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Girl that’s what I miss
Still I drive there horses through the rain and snow
This high-speed rodeo is all I know
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) – Big & Rich
Released in 2004
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And the girls say
Save a horse, ride a cowboy.
Everybody says
Save a horse, Ride a cowboy
The Cowboy In Me – Tim McGraw
Released in 2001 on the album Set This Circus Down
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The me that’s never satisfied
The face that’s in the mirror when I don’t like what I see
I guess that’s just the cowboy in me
Cowboy Take Me Away – The Chicks
Released in 1999
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue
Set me free, oh, I pray
Closer to heaven above and closer to you
Cowboy – Kid Rock
Released in 1999
Genre: Rap Rock
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
(West Coast Chillin’ with the Boone’s wine) I want to be a cowboy, baby
(Ridin’ at night ’cause I sleep all day) cowboy, baby
(I can smell a pig from a mile away)
Cocaine Cowboys – W.A.S.P.
Released in 1999 on the album Helldorado
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Oh gotta yell, cowboys from hell
Oh I’m in a Devil’s haze
I’m on the trail and I’m riding the rails
Oh I’m getting blown away
Ghetto Cowboy – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Released in 1998 on the album Chapter II: Family Reunion
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You better count your money
You better count your money (Ghetto Cowboy)
Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole
Released in 1997
Genre: Rock
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Where is my prairie song
Where is my happy ending?
Where have all the cowboys gone
Cowboy Love – John Michael Montgomery
Released in 1995 on the album John Michael Montgomery
Space Cowboy – Jamiroquai
Released in 1994 on the album The Return of the Space Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
This is the return of the space cowboy
Interplanetary, good vibe zone
Say, at the speed of cheeba, help me go deeper
Should’ve Been A Cowboy – Toby Keith
Released in 1993
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I should’ve been a cowboy
I should’ve learned to rope and ride
Wearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle drive
Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy – Chris Ledoux
Released in 1992 on the album Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve got half a mind to stay
What’cha gonna do with a cowboy
When he don’t saddle up and ride away
Cowboys From Hell – Pantera
Released in 1990
Genre: Heavy Metal
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Ain’t talking no tall tales friend
‘Cause high noon, your doom
Comin’ for you we’re the cowboys from hell
Modern Day Cowboy – Tesla
Released in 1986 on the album Mechanical Resonance
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
For a cowboy (cowboy) of the modern day
Come on, sundown, don’t be hangin’ ’round
‘Cause the cowboy (cowboy) will blow you away
I Wanna Be A Cowboy – Boys Don’t Cry
Released in 1985 on the album Boys Don’t Cry
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I wanna be a cowboy
And you can be my cowgirl
I wanna be a cowboy
Don’t Call Him Cowboy – Conway Twitty
Released in 1985 on the album Don’t Call Him a Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Lord, you won’t be satisfied
So don’t call him a cowboy
Until you’ve seen him ride
The Cowboy Rides Away – George Strait
Released in 1985 on the album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Setting on the things I wish I’d done
Oh, the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say
This is where the cowboy rides away
This Cowboy’s Hat – Chris Ledoux
Released in 1982 on the album Used to Want to Be a Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You’ll rope an ol’ blue northern, and milk it ’til it’s dry
Bulldog the Mississippi, pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this cowboy’s hat
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys – Willie Nelson
Released in 1979 on the album The Electric Horseman
Lyric Quote:
My heroes have always been cowboys
And they still are, it seems
Sadly, in search of, and one step in back of
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
Released in 1978
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Cosmic Cowboy, Pt. 1 – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Released in 1976 on the album Dirt, Silver and Gold
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And I just wanna be a cosmic cowboy
I just wanna ride and rope and hoot (hoot!)
Well I just wanna be a cosmic cowboy
Talkin’ ’bout a supernatural country rockin’ galoot
Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell
Released in 1975
Genre: Country
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know
Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet) – Tom T. Hall
Released in 1975 on the album Faster Horses
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He was an old time cowboy
Don’t you understand
His eyes were sharp as razor blades
His face was leather tanned
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – Elton John
Released in 1975 on the album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Out for the count and when we’re down
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
From the end of the world to your town
Cowboys To Girls – The Intruders
Released in 1968 on the album Cowboys to Girls
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I went from (Cowboys to girls)
Oh, yes, I did (Shoot ’em up, bang, bang)
(Cowboys to girls)
Do you have a favorite cowboy song, not on our list? Please share your song below so that we can add it!
About
DJ, Editor, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.