CATEGORIES » MEANING OF THE SONG

The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Should've Been a Cowboy" by the artist "Toby Keith"

In "Should've Been a Cowboy", Toby Keith expresses his longing for the romanticized life of a cowboy in the Wild West.

He begins by referencing Marshal Dillon and Miss Kitty, popular characters from the Western TV show "Gunsmoke", hinting at the missed opportunity for simple happiness and love, even in the harsh conditions of the frontier.

Furthermore, through imagery of daring shootouts, chasing outlaws, and sleeping under the stars, Toby Keith paints a picture of an adventurous and free cowboy life. He mentions legendary Western actors Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, as well as notorious outlaw Jesse James, as symbols of that era that beckons him.

The repeating refrain "Should've been a cowboy" doesn't sound like regret but rather a wistful acknowledgment that he chose a different path, but deep down still dreams of the romance of the Wild West. In his mind, being a cowboy means being free, courageous, living life to the fullest, full of danger and passion.

[Verse 1:]

I'll bet you've never heard ol' Marshal Dillon say

"Miss Kitty, have you ever thought of running away

Settling down, would you marry me

If I asked you twice and begged you pretty please?"

She'd have said yes in a New York minute

They never tied the knot, his heart wasn't in it

He just stole a kiss as he rode away

He never hung his hat up

At Kitty's place

[Chorus:]

I should've been a cowboy

I should've learned to rope and ride

Wearing my six-shooter, riding my pony on a cattle drive

Stealing a young girls' heart

Just like Gene and Roy

Singing those campfire songs

Oh, I should've been a cowboy

[Verse 2:]

I might've had a sidekick with a funny name

Running wild through the hills chasing Jesse James

Ending up on the brink of danger

Riding shotgun for the Texas Rangers

Go west, young man, haven't you been told

California's full of whiskey, women and gold

Sleeping out all night beneath the desert stars

With a dream in my eye, and a prayer in my heart

[Chorus: 2x]

I should've been a cowboy

I should've learned to rope and ride

Wearing my six-shooter, riding my pony on a cattle drive

Stealing a young girls' heart

Just like Gene and Roy

Singing those campfire songs

Oh, I should've been a cowboy

[Outro:]

Yeah, I should've been a cowboy

I should've been a cowboy

More Articles
The song "Nights I Can't Remember, Friends I'll Never Forget" tells the story of three friends - the narrator, JB, and Sonny - and their carefree youth.Together they grew up, formed a rock band, tried to win over girls with simple songs, lived life to the fullest, full of parties, alcohol, and recklessness
The song "I Love This Bar" by Toby Keith is an ode to a simple, yet familiar bar that becomes a microcosm of life. It's a place where people from all walks of life converge winners and losers, blue-collar workers and yuppies, cowboys and truckers
In the song "Good Gets Here," Toby Keith tells the story of a man trying to win the heart of a distrustful woman. She is full of doubts, afraid of getting hurt again, and looking for "the one
In his song "Drinks after Work", Toby Keith sings about a simple desire to unwind after a long day at work in the company of someone pleasant. The lyrical hero is tired of the routine, he "lives the dream", which is to put things aside and have some fun
This is the meaning behind the lyrics of the song "Bullets in the Gun" by Toby KeithThe song tells the story of a passionate and dangerous love affair between a wandering cowboy and a saloon dancer.The protagonist, known for his quick temper and living life on his own terms, meets a mysterious brunette in a dusty border town
In the song "A Woman's Touch," Toby Keith conveys a profound sadness and longing of a broken heart. The lyrical hero looks back on his life and sees only emptiness and fragments of the past, metaphorically depicting his heart as shattered and unable to love
Feedback: mail@wikimeaning.com
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
About Wikimeaning