Introduction:
Alright, folks, gather ’round and let’s take a deep dive into a song that injects a hefty dose of Americana straight into your veins. Released in 2016, A Few More Cowboys by the one and only Toby Keith is a country anthem that wears its heart on its dusty sleeve. Now, Toby Keith is no stranger to the scene. A true son of Oklahoma, he’s been a country music mainstay for over three decades, belting out rowdy anthems, heart-wrenching ballads, and everything in between. A Few More Cowboys falls squarely in the “anthem” category, a foot-stompin’, fist-pumpin’ celebration of the cowboy spirit.
This track wasn’t just some random addition to Keith’s already impressive discography. A Few More Cowboys was the lead single for his album, The Fighter , released the same year. The Fighter was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, a testament to Keith’s enduring popularity. But A Few More Cowboys had a life of its own. It became a fan favorite, a song that resonated deeply with those who hold dear the values associated with the cowboy way of life: self-reliance, hard work, and a fierce independence.
While the song doesn’t stray far from Toby Keith’s signature sound – a blend of Southern rock and traditional country – it’s the lyrics that truly set A Few More Cowboys apart. Keith, a master storyteller through song, paints a vivid picture of a world yearning for a simpler time, a time when cowboys, in his eyes, represented the backbone of American society. The chorus, a catchy sing-along, declares, “With a few more cowboys, be a lot less outlaws. Got our head out of the sand. Hit ’em with a big John Wayne. By God, they’d understand.” This line, referencing the iconic Western film star John Wayne, is a clear indicator of the kind of cowboy Keith celebrates – a moral compass, a symbol of strength, and a symbol of unwavering American spirit.
A Few More Cowboys isn’t without its critics. Some see it as a romanticized view of a bygone era, overlooking the complexities of the cowboy life and the challenges faced by Native American populations. However, there’s no denying the song’s power to evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for a simpler time. It’s a celebration of a specific set of ideals, a reminder of the values that some hold dear. Whether you agree with Keith’s perspective or not, A Few More Cowboys is a song that sparks conversation, a quality that any good music should possess. So, put on your boots, grab your Stetson, and let Toby Keith whisk you away to a world where cowboys still roam free.
Video:
Lyrics:
“A Few More Cowboys”
We’d get a straighter answer
If they’d let us smoke what we want
We’d have a lot less cancer
There’d be a bunch more daddies
Sons could be proud of
We’d have half the crime
We’d have twice the fun
With a few more cowboys
Be a lot less outlaws
With a few more amens
Be a lot less bad calls
With a few more yes Ma’ams
And a lot less yes men
This world would be a better place to live in
With a few more cowboys
If we did it with a handshake
We’d save a lot of paper
That’d save a lot of trees
We’re shipping overseas to make her
If we stood by our word
Took care of our own
Bought it made in the USA
We’d keep it here at home
With a few more cowboys
Be a lot less outlaws
With a few more amens
Be a lot less bad calls
With a few more yes Ma’ams
And a lot less yes men
This world would be a better place to live in
With a few more cowboys
If we had a little more grit
Less politics, more fist fighting
Met ’em at high noon
Hell, it’s about high time
We looked ’em in the eye
Got our head out of the sand
Hit ’em with a big John Wayne
By God, they’d understand
With a few more cowboys
Be a lot less outlaws
With a few more amens
Be a lot less bad calls
With a few more yes Ma’ams
And a lot less yes men
This world would be a better place to live in
With a few more cowboys
All in all we’d have a better world
With a few more cowboys
We’d have a few more cowboys
With a few more cowboys
If the White House was in Texas, man
We’d get a straighter answer
If they’d let us smoke what we want
Be a lot less cancer