Davis, Paul - Ride 'Em Cowboy Lyrics






Traveling with the rodeo
It's the only life I'll ever know
I started in New Mexico
Must have been a thousand years ago

I used to be the best they say
At riding young wild horses for my pay
But now I'm much too old it seems
I only ride wild horses in my dreams

They used to tell me

Ride em, cowboy
Don't let 'em throw you down
You can't make no money
If you hit the ground
They said, ride 'em cowboy
Don't let 'em throw you down
You're the toughest cowboy in town

I've always been a traveling cowboy
But now there's no place left to go
What am I supposed to do
Seems I'm left out in the cold

Old midnight was a champion
He's the only bronc I couldn't ride
But now I hear old midnight's blind
And rides the little children for a dime

Ladies used to hang around
I must have been a hero in their eyes
My silver spurs are rusty now
Lord, I wish I'd tried to settle down

They used to tell me

Traveling with the rodeo
It's the only life I'll ever know





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Davis, Paul Ride 'Em Cowboy Comments
  1. F.... G....

    Great song. Great memories of life

  2. C.... M....

    Que buena carátula

  3. o.... ....

    I was 9 years old in 1974 and we were moving from Houston to California and one of my fondest memories is hearing this song on our car radio pretty regularly driving across west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

  4. P.... W....

    He had country instincts, but he had his most success with his soft pop hits a few years later with "I Grow Crazy", "Sweet Life", and "Cool Night".

  5. G.... U....

    My mother used to sing this to me before I went I sleep. I absolutely love it.

  6. J.... G....

    Time just rolled back for me. I'm 20 again, just till the song ends.

  7. G.... P....

    Very touching "old Midnight was a champion, he's the only bronc i couldn't ride, now I hear old Midnight's blind and rides the little children for a dime. Those words always get to me as if to remember how young and strong I was, and now I am looking mortality in the face.

  8. T.... S....

    I loved this song, and his voice, when I was 10 in 1973. Never knew it was Paul Davis-who wrote one of my ALL-TIME favs I Go Crazy....and Cool Night.

  9. G.... G....

    A favorite of mine forever.

  10. z.... ....

    A lost gem of the mid 70s. Such a gorgeous tune and arrangement. I put this right up there with Rhinestone Cowboy, Desperado. A classic from an under appreciated talent.

  11. S.... S....

    Beautiful

  12. B.... C....

    Yea, I'm worn-out, It's Cowboy Blood.

  13. K.... F....

    Back in my sophomore year 1973/74 this song was out on the radio,at first I really didn't care for it.But over the years I learned to appreciate all kinds of music and Ride-em Cowboy and considering that I was a member of the FFA. Is now an old time Oldies but Goodies Favorites.

  14. t.... ....

    I love the Remmingtons version of this song.

  15. M.... B....

    I was 9 years old and remember hearing this on the radio and have not heard it since.... recently in 2017 I got a couple of his vinyl albums and thinking about picking up this one also. I usually listen to hard rock but I love me some 70s music also.

  16. P.... T....

    I was born in 1974. By oldest brother sang this to me when I'd cry. A whole lot of memories.

  17. D.... M....

    Where can I find the chord chart 4 this GREAT ! jam ??? anbody?!

    D.... M....

    David Morgan, it shouldn't be hard to figure out. G, Am7, D, back to G.

  18. M.... R....

    I love this song!

  19. A.... P....

    I Used To Sing This Song To My Son When He Was A Baby. Then Sing My Little Buckaroo. Those Were Great Times. My Son Is My Profile Pic.

  20. C.... ....

    Why hasn't someone like George Strait recorded this great song? He can't do it now what with everything he sings has to be filtered thru that Auto-Tune BS... can't believe an artist of his stature would stoop that low! I expect it from posers like Garth Brooks & Vince Gill. Damn straight Waylon, Willie & Merle never did that!

  21. w.... ....

    1974 not 73 charted on October 12 1974 peaking at #23 in early 1975 spending 18 weeks in the hot 100 later covered by Juice Newton

  22. B.... ....

    Hmmm, this was 1973, so that gives PAUL DAVIS a great 2 years heads up on singing FALSETTO on the chorus...BARRY GIBB did it 1975 on Nights On Broadway; so that makes you the winner Paul! And you sounded great doing it too. - BCRadio

  23. D.... ....

    This song is a metaphor of my life. I heard this in 74 and all thru my ups and downs in life
    I remembered the lyrics "Ride em cowboy, dont let them throw you down, your the toughest cowboy in town":

  24. D.... M....

    David Allan Coe does an incredible version of this song

  25. L.... N....

    love this song

  26. k.... e....

    beautiful

  27. S.... M....

    (From Craig) I heard this for the first (and only) time, listening to Radio 2CA in Canberra, when we first arrived there from the States in Nov. 1974...poignant hearing this again...

  28. b.... ....

    I love this song when it first came out. I was born and raised in Cal, but never knew I would end up in New Mexico. Back in 75, I drove through NM and loved it, and I always said, if I had the chance I'd move to NM. And when I would hear this song, especially when he says, "it must have been a thousand years ago", it always kept the dream alive. I eventually retired and moved to NM, Love it and its beautiful!

  29. C.... u....

    Nice song , memories of when I was younger :+)

  30. T.... ....

    I always had a fantasy of owning a radio station since I was a kid. I'd spin my favorite records and this one would be frequent one played. So many beautiful songs like this one that are virtually forgotten by people.

  31. J.... F....

    oh what memories   We need to bring back the 70's if only for a day :(

  32. R.... C....

    I was in the US Army in 1974 and we were on manuvers in the middle of of nowhere at Ft Stewart GA.  This song was very popular and on those occasions we could listen to commercial radio and heard this song more than  few tears were shred.

  33. T.... D....

    I may start crying listening to this song!

  34. F.... B....

    I played in a band in western Montana and we used to do this song. We had some great vocalists, two great female back up singers and this was one of our most requested numbers. Always loved this song!

  35. m.... m....

    I'll never forget this song. was ten when I first heard it

  36. M.... ....

    PURE COUNTRY GOLD!!...Thank you soooo very much for posting and sharing this "lost and rarely heard anymore" lil' country gem that climbed as high as #47 on the country charts for Paul back in February 1975 (what's a tiny bit funny is that this fantastic tune did even BETTER on the pop charts, where it peaked at #23!)...I thoroughly enjoyed listening...and the sound quality is TOP-NOTCH too!...Have a wonderful weekend, and Take Care! Elizabeth =)

  37. D.... D....

    The only thing sadder than this song is the fact that Paul left us too soon, at age 60, when he suffered a heart attack on his birthday in 2008.

    D.... D....

    Right you are.

    D.... D....

    Like ELO said...don't bring me down.

    D.... D....

    oh man, what a lose

    D.... D....

    Amen to that, Deborah Dessaso

  38. W.... ....

    I can't seem to find the radio version, which I think was David allen coe, here in youtube. This one with Paul Wms. isn't it.

    W.... ....

    +WickedTornado Paul Williams? This is Paul Davis.

  39. H.... ....

    It's amazing how an old song like this means more now than when I first heard it as a kid back in 1973.

    H.... ....

    +Harry Gawz The old ones always do. I remember having a "D" battery transistor radio under my pillow .. on a school night .. and hearing this. Old Midnight was a champion .... wound up learning horsemanship for a job in '80. Only his name was "Ahab".

    H.... ....

    D transistor? Most were C battery right?

    H.... ....

    zalewskimm no

  40. j.... p....

    havent heard this in a real long time

  41. L.... F....

    Larry in Chicago here, absolutely love this song!

  42. K.... W....

    What memories.  I was just a kid and I loved this song.

  43. W.... F....

    I think all his songs should be on the charts still today. He could touch your heart

    W.... F....

    Wilbur Force sweet

  44. M.... F....

    My dad loved this song. I remember when he bought the album and would play it on the ol' stereo.  Remember how we called them stereos?  Dad died 5 yrs. ago this week.  Still can't believe that time has flown sooooo fast and that my dad is gone.  Thanks for posting this song.  Brings back some good times.

    M.... F....

    Mickey Flowers your comment took my breath away, not only is my maiden name flowers but, when I was a baby (in 1989) my dad was disabled, he took care of me, anyways he use to sing this song to me all the time, this is our song.... October 24, 2015 he passed, time has been rough since he's been gone. I just searched this song tonight.... I have no words now. ..

  45. C.... S....

    When I Say Inspirational I Refer To This Song Taking Me Back To Good Times In My Life And Helps Me To Keep Going <3 Yes It Is A Very Sad Song But A Very Beautiful Song <3 Thanks Again For Sharing!

  46. J.... B....

    spurs don't rust if there silver they tarnish

    J.... B....

    @Jim Bryant artistic license hoss. ever hear a Cowboy say tarnish? Neil Young, "Tarnish never sleeps"? dig him up and scold him

    J.... B....

    Just a comment.LOVE the song,,,,and Neil Young  is far from a cowboy!

    J.... B....

    @Jim Bryant I had gilded spurs for show. Strong steel parts, silver colored or silver layered, "gilded" for a poor cowboy like in the song. They rusted decades later ("old cowboy" reference) even with good care. Symbolically, "To win his spurs" meant to gain knighthood, as gilded spurs were reckoned the badge of knighthood". Paul describes the "old" knight I believe, "feeling" unworthy except in memory of his younger day.

  47. R.... W....

    I am an old cowboy, we don't wash well but we do get to where its difficult to do what we used to, ain't as good as I once was but I am as good once as I ever was

  48. O.... U....

    If I was an old, washed up cowboy, this song eould have lots of meaning... I'm not one, though. Still like this sad, sad song.

  49. C.... S....

    entered Cashbox Oct 5, 1974

  50. d.... f....

    What a treat to have found this long forgotten song. Thanks youTube!!

  51. T.... ....

    One of the saddest tracks ever recorded. It’s beautifully performed, of course - but Jesus, what a kick to the heart. 

    "Old Midnight was a champion
    He's the only bronc I couldn't ride
    But now I hear old Midnight's blind
    And rides the little children for a dime."

    T.... ....

    That was my feeling exactly . . .

    T.... ....

    The sad thing is often cited by many... “Lord I wished I’d tried to settle down” meaning, marry, have and raise a family..its the sad chime of many.

  52. C.... S....

    I Use To Play My 45 On A Suitcase Type Record Player :) What An Inspirational Song It Is. Memories Ahhhhhhhhhhhh :*

  53. B.... C....

    Does anyone know why some songs just have disappeared ? This song is not on anyone's radio playlist.

    B.... C....

    Right you are Bill C.  What's up with that?  Thank goodness for youtube.  LOL! Peace friend.

    B.... C....

    +Bill C clear channel and other packaged radio programs

  54. K.... G....

    My all time favorite song

    K.... G....

    @Kim Greene yes great song

  55. m.... ....

    It was actually late 1974 early '75 when this song charted.

    m.... ....

    I heard this on Sirius 70's AT Top 40 rebroadcast in early December. It charted at #33 the week of 12/7/74. 

    m.... ....

    Late 74, Because DAC recorded his version shortly thereafter

    m.... ....

    Took awhile to get there, I guess!

  56. G.... ....

    ... I hear ole' Midnight's blind now, rides the little children for a dime.

    Heart wrenching lyrics.

    Rest in peace Mr. Davis.
    You are sorely missed Sir.

    G.... ....

    How about it? My sentiments, exactly. Beautiful voice, beautiful song. Paul Davis may be gone, but his music belongs to the ages. God Bless him always.

    G.... ....

    I can not listen to this song and not cry.

  57. T.... B....

    I remember the first time I heard this song, on the AM radio in my 1972 Chevy Nova. Thought then, and still do, that it's the saddest song ever.

    T.... B....

    @Tom Blackwell I had a '72 Pontiac Ventura II Sprint. Kraco FM converter, CB radio, radial tires the first year they came out, from Monkey Wards. Ole' Waylon my first 8 track. Sad song, but deeper seasoned nostalgia of younger years, in perspective of so many years, now contently resolved in pace of song.

    T.... B....

    Memories of my senior year in high school. I will always love this song.

    T.... B....

    Cool, I had a red '73 Nova...Oh, and I do remember this song back then!

  58. R.... C....

    Sure fits when an old man like me sings it. My favorite

  59. S.... A....

    You know, Paul Davis was capable of big-things, and he always delivered!

  60. C.... N....

    I always wanted to be the toughest cowboy, never quite made it lol I love this song and I loved this time.

  61. B.... B....

    One of the best songs....WHAT MEMORIES.

  62. R.... T....

    In the 1970's pop rock stations in Minneapolis Minnesota as well as country would play this classic song often and nobody changed the channel or complained about it. Paul Davis was popular where I came from and to me this is his best song.

  63. 1.... ....

    Growing up a Texas cowboy in the 70's, this song is very special to me.

    This a sad, but beautiful song. To me, it speaks of how our life changes as time passes by. From being young and strong, to growing old and only able re-live our memories.

    The lyric about Midnight was a champion, now rides the little children for a dime is one of the strongest I have ever heard. Such a sad message delivered with beautiful music and lyrics.Can't help but get a tear when i listen.

    1.... ....

    I was Born in the east texas!

    1.... ....

    I love it here

    1.... ....

    I really like your description of the emotion in this song. Thx.

  64. T.... B....

    saddest song ever, in the history of the world...

  65. S.... C....

    I would have gladly met him in Montana, having been born in Wyoming, and oh, the jam we would have had.

  66. R.... R....

    He also wrote Meet Me In Montana for Dan Seals and Marie Osmond.

  67. A.... R....

    Hey there Milring. Glad you got me to this song..

  68. e.... ....

    Reminds me of being a kid. I wish I was a kid again. :o(

    e.... ....

    Me too!

  69. d.... ....

    I agree with you on all you posted. I don't listen to it either. Thank god we have the older videos to watch and old records and what not. As far as those guys from N.Y. ..we call them drug store cowboys. And Paul Davis was very good in my opinion.

  70. W.... ....

    You are so right. I got out of h.school in '73 in Arizona....and was trying to find my way in the big ol' world in '74. This song takes my straight back to those times and the excited / scared feelings of the time. So long ago...yet just a blink in time for me. The radio in Az. played the version by David Allen Coe more than this one....both are great. Big shouts out to all mid-late 50's baby boomers who have memories attached to this song!

  71. W.... ....

    I just wanted to co-sign what you said about the state of "country" music today. It's run by those guys from N.Y that you see in tv commercials with those so-called "cowboy hats" on made of leather and are always 3 sizes too small for their head. I guess one wears such a thing when they're in a "western-fantasy-mood". Like you....I just can't stand country music the way it is now. Can't stand it. Won't listen to it..yet I keep giving it one more chance over and over again. Always disappoints.

  72. w.... ....

    How true that is. Junior year in high school, singing this with my sweetheart....

  73. w.... ....

    I LOVE this song- just now thought of it, after decades; looked it up, and here it is!

  74. d.... ....

    I can't think of one current country star that will be a joy to listen to in 2053. Since they are not a joy to listen to now. I do not like the crap they're passing off as country music today. Cant stand it.

  75. d.... ....

    This is a really well written and performed song. I have always liked this song. Thanks so much for posting it.

  76. S.... C....

    Paul wrote and sang stories of America - we got to sing along.

  77. H.... M....

    It just amazes me that a song that was recorded 40 years ago is still such a joy to listen to. By comparison, I think there are very few "country" songs on the radio in 2013 that will still be a joy to hear in the year 2053.

    Cheers to Paul Davis... always a pleasure to hear his music.

  78. A.... L....

    My uncle told me bout this song and I love it

  79. S.... C....

    I was in the nav in early 70's - Kingston naval air station. Welcome home, bud. Was it a great time to strut our stuff, or what. 'Ladies use to hang around - i must have been a hero in their eyes - or at least , mine. sc

  80. S.... ....

    @coleyma

  81. J.... K....

    she did but he wrote it!!

  82. B.... C....

    Great song, very underrated artist.

  83. M.... D....

    One of the great songs by a great songwriter. Really hits home for those of a certain age.

  84. J.... K....

    charlie daniels sang it too

  85. D.... M....

    I thought this came out in '74 here in Houston, Tx...listening on KENR FM radio!

  86. r.... f....

    "the only horse I couldn't ride...now I hear ole Midnight's blind...little children ride him for a dime..."

    As we look back on our lives, this says it all.

  87. p.... ....

    Didn't know this a Paul Davis song. Found it searching for a Juice Newton song. I remember this from when I was a kid. I really prefer this version. It's great! Thanks!

  88. C.... N....

    me too...gimme my 501's a burger on the grill... and a Bob Wills ahhhh hahhh and CC is good to go

  89. C.... N....

    it's ok that you like Juice's version ...like it too...but Paul..he was an original

  90. J.... ....

    I hate to say it, but I love the Juice Newton version much better! Paul's best song will forever be "65 Love Affair."

  91. V.... M....

    I worked as a trail patrol rider for a riding stable when this song was popular. The part about the horse is so incredibily sad..but a part of life.

  92. N.... s....

    WAS PLAYING SOCCER AT SAN JOSE STATE BACK IN THE 70'S WE SANG THIS SONG ...MY BROTHER AND ME AFTER PRACTICE.........THANKS PAUL

  93. 1.... ....

    I have loved this song since the early 70's when serving in the U.S.Navy stationed in Pensacola. I would play it right before dawn while driving in to the base. Yep, sometimes being onboard a ship can be just like being on a wild horse. You sure don't want fall or get thrown off either in any case. Paul's song was a lot deeper & more meaningful than some folk at the time supposed. However, for Paul, me and similar souls, this tune was & remains simply a real treasure.

  94. K.... M....

    OMG!!! I haven't hear this song in years. I used to listened to this song over and over when I was a teenager. I love this song

  95. O.... L....

    Thanks
    abeldanger(dot)net

  96. b.... ....

    My son does not like this song at all, got drunk and played it 100 times on Christmas eve.......so many memories. He will sing it to me and get mad at himself....he's 21 now...lol

  97. D.... D....

    This was an absolute favorite of mine when I was about 13. Thank you so much for posting it!

  98. S.... W....

    @mrob75 Your memory is accurate. Ride 'em Cowboy was released in 1974 and peaked on the charts at #23 in January 1975.

  99. m.... ....

    I had no idea Paul Davis had passed on... Although the lead at the top of this page says 1973, I seem to remember it being played on A. M. radio in 1975. I was a young teen then and I was literally "GLUED" to my radio and this is one of the songs I used to love...When I hear that artists like Paul have passed on it makes me feel like I've lost a dear friend from long ago. God bless you, Paul , for being with me in my youth.

  100. C.... ....

    My favorite '73 song... every jukebox I came across, I dropped the coins and played it three times... must've driven everybody crazy!