“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Imagine sitting around a campfire under a starlit sky, the distant sound of a guitar strumming chords that resonate with the soul of the Wild West. That’s the feeling Toby Keith captures in his iconic song, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” especially in the live version from his 25th anniversary performance.
“Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Live XXV” isn’t just a song; it’s a time machine. It transports us back to the 90s when it first topped the charts, becoming an anthem for anyone who ever dreamt of a different life, one filled with the adventures of the old American West. The live version, performed a quarter-century later, carries with it a weight of nostalgia and a deepened voice that only adds to the song’s gravitas.
This song, when performed live, stirs something profound within the crowd. It’s not just the lyrics speaking of gunslingers and cattle drives, or the melody that hooks you from the first chord. It’s the communal feeling of shared dreams and unspoken regrets that ripple through Keith’s raspy delivery, reminding us of roads not taken.
Listening to “Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Live XXV,” you feel the enthusiasm of Toby Keith as if he’s right there, sharing a story with you over a drink. There’s laughter, there’s wistfulness, and there’s that unmistakable twang that feels so authentically him. This song is a celebration of the cowboy spirit that perhaps lives in all of us, a symbol of freedom and the allure of the unknown.
In essence, this live performance isn’t just about reminiscing; it’s about connecting — with the past, with dreams, and with each other. Every chord strummed and every note sung encapsulates a slice of Americana that is timeless, reminding us why this song remains a staple in the repertoire of country music lovers.
Video
Lyrics
I bet you’ve never heard ol’ Marshal Dillon say
Miss Kitty, have you ever thought of runnin’ away?
Settlin’ 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
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
Stealin’ the young girls’ hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin’ those campfire songs
Woah, I should’ve been a cowboy
I might of had a sidekick with a funny name
Runnin’ wild through the hills chasin’ Jesse James
Ending up on the brink of danger
Ridin’ shotgun for the Texas Rangers
Go west young man, haven’t you been told?
California’s full of whiskey, women and gold
Sleepin’ out all night beneath the desert stars
With a dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart
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
Stealin’ the young girls’ hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin’ those campfire songs
Woah, I should’ve been a cowboy
I should’ve been a cowboy
I should’ve learned to rope and ride
I’d be wearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle drive
Stealin’ the young girls’ hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin’ those campfire songs
Woah, I should’ve been a cowboy
Yeah, I should’ve been a cowboy
I should’ve been a cowboy