Introduction
“My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys,” a song synonymous with Willie Nelson’s smooth vocals and outlaw country charm, boasts a history deeper than one might expect. While Nelson’s rendition in 1980 became a chart-topping hit, the song’s origins trace back to songwriter Sharon Vaughn and an earlier recording by another country legend.
Vaughn’s lyrics paint a picture of a life shaped by romanticized notions of the cowboy spirit. The narrator idolized cowboys in their youth, but reality takes hold as they grapple with a life of wasted potential and the hollowness that comes with chasing a romanticized ideal. Lines like “burned up my childhood days on a modern day drifter’s craze” and “just take what you need from the ladies and leave them with the words of a sad country song” hint at a life lived on the fringes, chasing a dream that ultimately led nowhere.
While Nelson’s version found immense success, reaching number one on the country charts and propelling him further into the spotlight, credit for the song’s initial release goes to Waylon Jennings. Jennings included “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” on his 1976 album “Wanted! The Outlaws,” solidifying its place within the outlaw country movement.
Nelson’s version, however, gained a wider audience thanks to its inclusion in the 1979 film “The Electric Horseman.” His rendition served as the film’s theme song, perfectly capturing the melancholic undercurrent of the story that mirrored the themes of the song itself. The exposure from the film, coupled with Nelson’s signature style, propelled “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” to mainstream success, forever etching it into country music history.
So, as the first notes of Willie Nelson’s harmonica ring out, remember that “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a poignant reflection on lost dreams, the perils of idolization, and the melancholic beauty found in the spaces between myth and reality.