That's What Cowboys Do

"That's What Cowboys Do" is a song by American country music singer Garth Brooks. It was released on June 29, 2021, as the fifth single from Brooks' fourteenth studio album Fun. Brooks co-wrote the song with John Martin and Mitch Rossell.[1]

"That's What Cowboys Do"
Single by Garth Brooks
from the album Fun
ReleasedJune 29, 2021
GenreCountry
Length3:33
LabelPearl
Songwriter(s)
  • John Martin
  • Mitch Rossell
  • Garth Brooks
Producer(s)Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks singles chronology
"Shallow"
(2020)
"That's What Cowboys Do"
(2021)
"Rodeo Man"
(2023)

Background

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In an interview, Brooks said: "It was written for the boys from Midland. 'Cause I thought they would kill it. We sat down and wrote something for them, because they do a lot of George Strait-feeling stuff."[2]

Content

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The song was described by CMT as a story about "timeless tale of love, heartbreak and the rodeo" and a rodeo cowboy who "falls for, then leaves, their love interest".[3] Chris Parton of Sounds like Nashville felt that the "pure-country ballad" song features "a gentle sway and a timeless theme. Brooks plays a cowboy who can't be tamed, drifting from one rodeo arena and one bed to the next."[4]

Critical reception

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Katie Maloney of Outsider commented that the song has "90s country vibes".[5] Robyn Collins of Taste of Country described it as "a traditional country tune that features slide guitars and fiddles so classic that listeners can almost see boot-wearing couples making their way around the dance floor.[6]

In November 2022, the song was honored as one of the Most Performed Country Songs of 2021 at the 60th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards.[7]

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ Duke, Billy (August 4, 2021). "Garth Brooks' 'That's What Cowboys Do' Has a Secret Third Verse". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ^ Liptak, Carena (July 13, 2021). "Garth Brooks originally wrote his new single, "That's What Cowboys Do," with Midland in mind". ABC Audio. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  3. ^ K. Dowling, Marcus (July 1, 2021). "Garth Brooks Releases Reflective Ballad "That's What Cowboys Do"". CMT. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Parton, Chris (July 1, 2021). "Garth Brooks Shares Classic Ballad, 'That's What Cowboys Do'". Sounds like Nashville. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Maloney, Katie (July 1, 2021). "Garth Brooks Releases New Single 'That's What Cowboys Do' That He Calls 'So Country'". Outsider. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Collins, Robyn (July 1, 2021). "Garth Brooks' New Single Confirms 'That's What Cowboys Do'". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Garth Brooks' "That's What Cowboys Do" Honored As One of the Most Performed Ascap Country Songs of 2021". GarthBrooks.com. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Garth Brooks Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.