The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Mmm-hmm I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm I’m a dreaming cowboy
I’m gonna sing you a song about an old cowboy who never let go
He rode from town to town year after year, he rode the rodeo
But now he’s busted and beat, but he won’t take defeat
‘Cause he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
It’s a long way back to his old homestead by the Rio Grande
It’s a long way back to his shack by the rippling sands
But now a barstool is all that he can ride so he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
He sits in the saddle of his make believe horse dreaming harmless lies
‘Rides his range ‘til they turn up the bar lights like the sun in his eyes
He thinks Texas could be right over there, but he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
It’s been twenty years since he walked out his door down in San Antoine
A lock of her hair that he lost somewhere, how the years have gone
He thinks she could be right over there, but he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy…
I’m gonna sing you a song about an old cowboy who never let go
He rode from town to town year after year, he rode the rodeo
But now he’s busted and beat, but he won’t take defeat
‘Cause he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
It’s a long way back to his old homestead by the Rio Grande
It’s a long way back to his shack by the rippling sands
But now a barstool is all that he can ride so he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
He sits in the saddle of his make believe horse dreaming harmless lies
‘Rides his range ‘til they turn up the bar lights like the sun in his eyes
He thinks Texas could be right over there, but he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
It’s been twenty years since he walked out his door down in San Antoine
A lock of her hair that he lost somewhere, how the years have gone
He thinks she could be right over there, but he’s a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy. Mmm-hmm, I’m a dreaming cowboy
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy.
Mmm-hmm, she’s a dreaming cowboy…
Lyrics submitted by Thermidor
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