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.
In the corner of dark bar room
Sat an ole' cowboy singin' western tunes
Singin' songs he learned as a child
All about the West back when it was wild
He said he came from down Texas way
The cowboys were tough
The women the same way
Said he was a star back in '31
Hollywood had liked him for some songs that he had done
He's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin' songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay Aye
He took a break, just to chug him down a beer
C'mon folks holler out the songs you'd like to hear
If I know one, I know a million tunes
I'm not up here playin' for me
This is all just for you
And then he bragged on the Stinson hat that he wore
Said it was the finest made since the war
And he won the silver buckle ridin' on a cow
And as he laughed he said
I'll bet you're wonderin' how?
He's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin' songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay A ye
And after three hours or maybe more
A lady grabbed his arm
And showed him to the door
The bartender said, "he's blind, you see
Don't tell him the only audience he had was you and me"
'Cause he's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay A ye
(Publisher Spirit One Music)
Sat an ole' cowboy singin' western tunes
Singin' songs he learned as a child
All about the West back when it was wild
He said he came from down Texas way
The cowboys were tough
The women the same way
Said he was a star back in '31
Hollywood had liked him for some songs that he had done
He's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin' songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay Aye
He took a break, just to chug him down a beer
C'mon folks holler out the songs you'd like to hear
If I know one, I know a million tunes
I'm not up here playin' for me
This is all just for you
And then he bragged on the Stinson hat that he wore
Said it was the finest made since the war
And he won the silver buckle ridin' on a cow
And as he laughed he said
I'll bet you're wonderin' how?
He's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin' songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay A ye
And after three hours or maybe more
A lady grabbed his arm
And showed him to the door
The bartender said, "he's blind, you see
Don't tell him the only audience he had was you and me"
'Cause he's the last of the singin' cowboys
Singin songs of inspiration and joy
Yippie Yi Yo, Yippie Ay A ye
(Publisher Spirit One Music)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Last of the Singing Cowboys Lyrics as written by George Mccorkle
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The lyrics are self-explanatory. I appreciate the kindness expressed towards the end of the song when the bartender asks the customer to assist with the blind old guy's fantasy of having a larger audience than he actually had.
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