Jon Pardi deserves just as much credit as Luke Combs for combining throwback twang with modern production techniques in a way that appeals to country music fans of all ages and listening preferences. For proof, check out "Ain't Always the Cowboy," a majestic ode to George Strait from Pardi's forthcoming album Heartache Medication.
The song turns Straight's 1984 classic "The Cowboy Rides Away" on its head, shifting the focus from rambling men of old to today's independent women. Normally, male truck drivers and cowpokes are glorified in song for never staying in one place, while women often get vilified for not wanting to settle down. Pardi rights that decades-old wrong while celebrating one of his Texas country heroes.
Heartache Medication is out Sept. 27 on Capitol Nashville.
"Ain't Always the Cowboy" Lyrics
Her hands wrapped up in mine
Tears rollin' out of her eyes
No messin' with a made-up mind
Sun settin' on goodbye
Yeah, it's hard to believe
It wasn't me tryin' to leave this time
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
That restless, runnin', searchin' for somethin'
Leavin' love in the dust of a midnight Chevrolet
It ain't always the cowboy that rides away
I've never seen over from this side
Never heard lonely get this quiet
Still I can't keep from smilin'
'Cause damn that girl can fly
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
That restless, runnin', searchin' for somethin'
Leavin' love in the dust of a midnight Chevrolet
It ain't always the cowboy that rides away
A tumbleweed heart, chasin' that wind
Goin' too far, wherever that is
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
That restless, runnin', searchin' for somethin'
Leavin' love in the dust of a midnight Chevrolet
It ain't always the cowboy that rides away
Rides away
It ain't always the cowboy
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