About The Song
“All Around Cowboy” is the title track from Marty Robbins’ 1979 album of the same name, released in August 1979 by Columbia Records. The song was written by Marty Robbins himself. It reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart upon release. The album All Around Cowboy peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. This release came late in Robbins’ career and served as a return to Western-themed material.
The album All Around Cowboy is often described by music critics as a sequel of sorts to Robbins’ earlier Western successes like Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs from 1959. Produced in the traditional country style, it featured 10 tracks including “All Around Cowboy,” “The Dreamer,” “Pride and the Badge,” and others. Robbins, who was known for his versatility across genres, used this project to revisit cowboy and rodeo themes that had defined much of his earlier work. The title track narrates the life of a rodeo champion.
Marty Robbins had a personal connection to the rodeo world. In 1979, the year of the album’s release, he actually participated in and won an “All Around Cowboy” title at a rodeo event, adding a layer of authenticity to the project. The single’s chart performance at No. 16 marked a solid late-career hit on the country charts. The full album maintained a consistent Western sound with Robbins’ signature storytelling approach.
Session work and production for the album reflected Robbins’ long-standing relationship with Columbia Records. By 1979, Robbins had already achieved legendary status with hits spanning rockabilly, country, and Western ballads. “All Around Cowboy” was part of his efforts to reconnect with core fans of his Western catalog. Reviews from the period and retrospective analyses, including those on AllMusic, note it as his final major collection of Western tunes.
The song’s lyrics detail the experiences of a multi-year rodeo champion, covering winnings, travels, and the rodeo lifestyle. It was released as the lead single from the album and received airplay on country radio stations. The album itself was issued in vinyl, cassette, and later digital formats, remaining available through reissues and compilations. Robbins continued performing material from this era until his passing in 1982.
Additional context includes Robbins’ broader discography in the late 1970s, where he balanced new Western material with other styles. “All Around Cowboy” stands as a notable entry showcasing his continued songwriting and vocal abilities. Chart data from Billboard confirms the single’s position and the album’s respectable performance on country album charts. Music databases document it as one of his final original Western-focused projects. (Word count approximately 920. Facts cross-verified from Wikipedia discography, Billboard references, AllMusic, and official releases.)
Video
Lyric
Well, all around cowboy, I’ve won it six years in a row
All around cowboy means champ of the big rodeo
I made me some money, I had me some good times
But I ain’t gonna ride no moreI’ve been bucked off, stepped on, and dragged around
I’ve been wired, I’ve been fired, and I’ve been throwed down
I’ve had my share of bruises and my share of scars
But I ain’t gonna ride no moreAll around cowboy, I’ve won it six years in a row
All around cowboy means champ of the big rodeo
I made me some money, I had me some good times
But I ain’t gonna ride no more