The Cowboy Playlist

As we enter the Year of The Fire Horse, one thing is clear: 2026 requires an impeccably curated cowboy playlist, fit for the best cowherders. While I’m no expert on cattle herding, horseback riding, or the Wild West, I do know a thing or two about playlists. So, without further ado, here are 10 songs that I think deserve a place on your 2026 cowboy soundtrack. 

1. Midnight Rider – The Allman Brothers Band
   1. “Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers Band follows the story of a man on the run, playing into the traditional folk and blues themes of desperation, determination, and loneliness. While not explicitly about a cowboy, the character of the Midnight Rider captures the isolation and individualism associated with cowboys in the Old West. 
2. Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers Band
   1. Like “Midnight Rider,” “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band is not explicitly about cowboys. However, the never-ending journey and isolation discussed in “Ramblin’ Man” are parallel to those of a cowboy, making it an excellent song for anyone seeking to embrace their inner cowherder. 
3. The Devil Went Down to Georgia – Charlie Daniels Band
   1. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band recounts the tale of a young fiddle player named Johnny, who makes and ultimately wins a deal with the devil. The song references a number of traditional Southern and Western American folk songs, including “House of the Rising Sun” and “Ida Red” by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. While the song is not thematically about cowboys, its instrumentation and vocal stylings are the perfect soundtrack for a horseback ride through the Old West.
4. (Ghost) Riders in the Sky – Johnny Cash
   1. “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” is a country/western song originally written by Stan Jones in 1948 and covered by Johnny Cash in 1979. The song is a retelling of a story Jones heard as a child about a cowboy who sees visions of red-eyed, steel-hooved cattle being chased through the clouds by the souls of damned cowboys. The cowboy is warned that if he does not change his ways, he too will be doomed to an eternity of chasing “the Devil’s herd” across the sky. The song’s chilling lyrics convey the haunting loneliness and violence often seen in representations of cowboys and the Wild West. 
5. Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
   1. “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” originally written by Ed Bruce and covered by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, serves as a harsh warning about what it means to live life as a cowboy. The song warns that the cowboy way of life is one of loneliness and isolation, in contrast to romantic media depictions of cowboys. The solemn content makes it the perfect theme for any self-aware cowboy. 
6. Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith
   1. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” by Toby Keith is a romantic portrayal of cowboy culture, drawing on old Western media and its tropes. Keith references the radio/television series Gunsmoke, westward expansion, outlaw Jesse James, the Texas Rangers, six-shooters, cattle drives, and singing cowboys Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Shifting away from some of the more emotional and historically accurate songs on this list, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” is an essential listen for anyone who wants to “rope and ride” like Toby Keith.  
7. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys – Willie Nelson
   1. “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings in 1976 and popularized by Willie Nelson in 1980. In the song, the narrator grapples with the disparity between his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy and the reality of cowboy life. The tragic ballad captures both the idealized, fantasy version of cowboys portrayed in Westerns and the reality of what it means to be a cowboy. 
8. Rhinestone Cowboy – Glenn Campbell
   1. “Rhinestone Cowboy” was written in 1974 by Larry Weiss and popularized by Glenn Campbell in 1975, and is considered to be Campbell’s signature song. The song draws parallels between historic cowboys and modern country singers, demonstrating that we all have a little cowboy in our hearts. If you’re not enjoying the country, folk, and blues tones of this list, consider the Madvillain song by the same name. 
9. Jesse James – Woody Guthrie
   1. “Jesse James,” originally written in 1887 and covered by Woody Guthrie in 1997, tells the story of the infamous outlaw, portraying him as the Robin Hood of the Wild West. While not necessarily historically accurate, the song romanticizes the Wild West in a way that makes you want to grab your six-shooter and ride off into the sunset of the Western frontier. 
10. Back in the Saddle Again – Gene Autry
    1. No cowboy playlist is complete without the anthem “Back in the Saddle Again.” It’s the signature song of American cowboy entertainer Gene Autry, first released in 1939. It has been featured in numerous cowboy and Western films, making it nearly synonymous with cowboys and cowboy culture. 

Andrew Stein is a first-year Public & Community Health major who could be a great cowboy with this playlist equipped.