Ain't Always the Cowboy

Album: Heartache Medication (2019)
Charted: 55
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Josh Thompson and Brendan Cooney, this desolate ballad flips the script.

    It ain't always the cowboy
    That ain't got a lot of hang around
    Ain't got no settle down in their boots
    Gone's just what they do


    Usually it's the cowboy who rides off into sunset. However, in this instance, it is the hopelessly free-spirited girl that is not sticking around and is breaking his heart.
  • Pardi explained why he recorded the song: "It was just such an anthem for girls and guys, or for the girls trying to do her own things. It's kind of a leaving song, but a happy leaving song. It's about going out to chase her dreams, be independent or do her thing. He ain't mad about it, and I thought that was a really cool outlook of a song and melody; just everything about it was awesome."
  • Shot by Carlos Ruiz in Arizona's scenic desert, the video highlights Pardi's love of the West and barrel racing. The clip turns the tables on the typical romantic narrative by showcasing a leading lady who won't be roped down in a relationship.
  • Jon Pardi included a second, more cinematic take of the song for the Deluxe Edition of Heartache Medication. Titled "Ain't Always The Cowboy (Western Version)," Pardi pictured the new version in his head as a little movie soundtrack.

    "It kinda starts out real intimate," he explained to ABC Audio. "Kind of going with the lyrics, and it kind of builds. And then to where, at the very end, I just see her riding away on the horse into the sunset, and the violins are just playing."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.