A decade ago, beneath the dazzling lights of New York City, Toby Keith received one of the most meaningful honors of his life: induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Standing on stage, he humbly declared, “This is the only thing I ever wanted.” Not the spotlight, not the riches — just the acknowledgment that his words, his melodies, and his truth made a difference. Toby wasn’t just writing songs — he was telling America’s story. He gave voice to patriotism, everyday struggles, freedom, and quiet pain. His lyrics weren’t polished fantasies — they were raw, real-life reflections. That’s why his music continues to resonate deeply.

Introduction

Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” marked an explosive launch for his career as both artist and songwriter. Written entirely by Keith and released on February 12, 1993, it served as the debut single from his self‑titled album, Toby Keith. Co-produced by Nelson Larkin and Harold Shedd, the song showcased Keith’s honky‑tonk voice, pedal steel guitar lines, and storytelling rooted in cowboy nostalgia .

The lyrical inspiration came out of a memorable evening during a pheasant hunting trip in Kansas. Keith, inspired by an on‑the‑spot comment that someone “should’ve been a cowboy,” penned the song later that night in a hotel bathroom—reportedly in about twenty minutes—drawing on imagery from Gunsmoke, Jesse James, and Western icons Gene Autry and Roy Rogers .

Upon its release, the song quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on June 5, 1993, where it remained for two weeks, and also topping Canada’s RPM Country Tracks chart. It crossed over modestly to reach No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Over time, it became the most‑played country song of the 1990s, accumulating over three million radio spins by 2010 .

Its impact extended far beyond radio: “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” is closely tied to Keith’s legacy and remains his signature song. It inspired his 25th‑anniversary tour in 2018, and became a fixture at Oklahoma State University sporting events, where the song was frequently played in repetition—even as an ironic salute to visiting Oklahoma Sooners fans .

The song’s success launched a career that saw Keith achieve 20 Billboard No. 1 hits, sell over 30 million albums in the U.S., and earn induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015—making “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” not just a debut single, but a cornerstone of modern country music

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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