Should've Been a Cowboy

"Should've Been a Cowboy" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released on February 12, 1993, as his debut single and the first from his self-titled debut album. On June 5, 1993, the song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It also peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit.

"Should've Been a Cowboy"
Single by Toby Keith
from the album Toby Keith
B-side"Some Kinda Good Kinda Hold on Me"
ReleasedFebruary 12, 1993
Recorded1992
GenreCountry
Length3:30
LabelPolygram/Mercury 864990
Songwriter(s)Toby Keith
Producer(s)
Toby Keith singles chronology
"Should've Been a Cowboy"
(1993)		 "He Ain't Worth Missing"
(1993)

It has received more than three million spins on country radio, making it the most-played country song of the 1990s.[1]

The song is a staple following sporting events at Oklahoma State University (home of the Cowboys), often played over the venue's PA system several times in succession as fans emptied the stadium or arena.[2]

American Aquarium covered the song on their 2021 album Slappers, Bangers, and Certified Twangers: Vol 1.

Content

The lyrics romanticize the cowboy lifestyle through references to old Westerns. The first verse references Gunsmoke, in which cowboy hero Marshall Dillon never settled down with his love interest Miss Kitty. The second verse tells of his own adventures if the narrator were a cowboy: having "a sidekick with a funny name" (possibly a reference to sidekicks like Tonto or Gordito), travelling west to California (including the historical quote "Go West, young man"), hunting down Western outlaw Jesse James, joining up with the Texas Rangers, and so on. The chorus refers to famous singing cowboys Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and lists common patterns depicted in Westerns such as six-shooters (revolvers) and cattle drives.

Response

In 2021, Adeem the Artist released the song "I Wish You Would've Been a Cowboy", an answer song to "Should've Been a Cowboy" which criticizes Keith.[3]

Other media

The song is available as downloadable content on the music video game, Rock Band.

Chart positions

"Should've Been a Cowboy" debuted at number 69 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of March 6, 1993. It became Keith's first number one single on the chart dated June 5, 1993, remaining there for two weeks. It was certified three-times platinum by the RIAA on September 18, 2023, thirty years after its release.[4]

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 93
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1993) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] 73
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 39

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Shelburne, Craig (1 March 2007). "Toby Keith Jams, Notches 50 Million Airplays". CMT. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  2. McDonnell, Brandy (10 October 2009). "Toby Keith discusses his "weird connection" to OU and OSU". newsok.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  3. Jason Scott (March 2, 2021). "PREMIERE: Adeem the Artist Reclaims Identity With Cast Iron Pansexual LP". Audio Femme. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  4. "American single certifications – Toby Keith – Should've Been a Cowboy". Recording Industry Association of America.
  5. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0991." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. June 26, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  6. "Toby Keith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "Toby Keith Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM. December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  9. "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  10. "American single certifications – Toby Keith – Should%27ve Been a Cowboy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
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