Introduction
“The Cowboy Rides Away” is a poignant country song by George Strait, released on January 14, 1985, as the second single from his album “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”. Written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly, the song narrates the story of a cowboy departing from a failed relationship, encapsulating themes of love and loss. It achieved significant success, peaking at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 3 on Canada’s RPM Country Tracks chart.
Beyond its chart performance, “The Cowboy Rides Away” holds a special place in George Strait’s career. It became his signature closing song during live performances, symbolizing farewell and reflection. This tradition culminated in “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour,” which began on January 18, 2013, and concluded on June 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The final concert was monumental, drawing a record-setting attendance of 104,793 fans—the largest for a single-show concert in U.S. history at that time.
The tour featured a star-studded lineup, with artists like Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, and Sheryl Crow joining Strait on stage. The final performance was commemorated with the live album “The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium,” which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Hot Country Albums chart, selling 51,000 copies in its first week.
Critically, the song has been lauded for its embrace of traditional cowboy themes while offering a fresh perspective. Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe awarded it an A grade, highlighting its duality in honoring and reinventing the cowboy mythos.
In essence, “The Cowboy Rides Away” is more than just a song; it’s a significant piece of George Strait’s legacy, resonating with audiences through its heartfelt narrative and marking pivotal moments in his illustrious career.