Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond Of Each Other) - Willie Nelson

Artist: Willie Nelson
Song: Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond Of Each Other)
Year: 2006
Album: iTunes Download

Willie Nelson is one of my favorite country artists, even though he really hasn't been country in years. He's been just about everything else in the past twenty odd years though. I'm waiting for Willie's death metal album. I'm sure it will be a real hoot.

This song was available for download on Valentine's Day 2006. Willie and his band had been practicing this song as a lark since the eighties. He never thought it would see the light of day, except for the occasional play during rehearsals. That all changed when Brokeback Mountain came out and was a runaway hit.

Thinking that the song could capitalize on the movie and straddle the line between humor and seriousness, Willie released it. Most country stations refused to play it, but Willie's target audience ate it up. It got airplay on non-country stations and became a mainstream hit for the gay community. It also marked the first appearance of a Willie Nelson song on the top 100, since 1985. Willie is old enough to speak his mind on any subject and I think that he's earned the right to do that. We are all along for the ride.

I rather enjoy the upbeat and jovial mood of the song. I'm not gay, but many of my friends are. I haven't heard one complaint from them over this song. Willie is one of the artists that could sing the phone book and I would find it entertaining. Yet, no matter what genre or style he chooses, Willie makes the most of it. I always smile when this song pops up on the iPod.

Lyrics:
Well, there's many a strange impulse out on the plains of West Texas.
There's many a young boy who feels things he can't comprehend.
And a small town don't like it when somebody falls between sexes.
No, a small town don't like it when a cowboy has feelings for men.

And I believe to my soul that inside every man there's the feminine.
And inside every lady there's a deep manly voice loud and clear.
Well, a cowboy may brag about things that he's done with his women.
But the ones who brag loudest are the ones that are most likely queer.

Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other.
Say, what do you think all them saddles and boots was about?
And there's many a cowboy who don't understand the way that he feels for his brother.
And inside every cowboy there's a lady that'd love to slip out.

And there's always somebody who says what the others just whisper.
And mostly that someone's the first one to get shot down dead.
So when you talk to a cowboy don't treat him like he was a sister.
You can't fuck with a lady that's sleepin' in each cowboy's head.

Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other.
What did you think all them saddles and boots was about?
And there's many a cowboy who don't understand the way that he feels for his brother.
And inside every lady there's a cowboy who wants to come out.
And inside every cowboy there's a lady that'd love to slip out.