General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 59 Back To School Edition...................."Yee Haw!"

Some of the roughest toughest most macho guys in American history have always been known to be cowboys. They were rugged and worked in some of the toughest and dangerous conditions ever all while barely making enough to make ends meet. Because of this, someone being called a "cowboy" has always been a compliment of toughness and rebellion. While often associated with country music, the cowboy image has reached across genres, and has created some cool songs, and created some ridiculous songs. I also published this one at an earlier hour so all of you kids can get to bed at an earlier hour- I don't wanna interfere with the back to school days.

In order to be considered in this category, the SONG TITLE must have the word "Cowboy" in it. Also receiving votes in this category were "Asphalt Cowboy" by Jason Aldean, "Cowboy Way" by Paul Bogart, and "100% Cowboy" by Jason Meadows.

"Cowboys Like Us"- George Strait. I was quite upset to find that there was no video for this song despite reaching #2 on the charts in 2003. George Strait actually wrote this song about a motorcycle trip he took with some friends, and if you listen to the lyrics "we ride out on steel horses", you could figure this out. The video clip here is quite amusing because you almost don't recognize George without his cowboy hat on. Even the biggest country stars ever at least had it off sometimes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR5LK52k8dE

"Cowboy"- Kid Rock. In 1998, Kid Rock went from being relatively anonymous to superstar with his album "Devil Without a Cause". Even though he was into being a rapper, the song showed that Kid Rock was already transitioning to southern rock/country music. This song is a perfect example about how much Nickelback sucks, because if you listen to the lyrics, you will hear that this is basically a much earlier version of "Rock Star" by Nickelback, just with a country/western twist. Bonus points for the cameo of the late Gary Coleman in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glb2U6y-GdU

"Cowboy Take Me Away"- Dixie Chicks. In 1999, the Dixie Chicks were the hottest group in country music after their release of "Wide Open Spaces", they followed it up with "Fly". The second single from the album was "Cowboy Take Me Away". Now I love this song, but the video just seems like a drug trip to me- Natalie Maines has admitted to using "medicinal marijuana". Yes, she is a good singer, but the difference between the hotness of group members in the Dixie Chicks is on a cataclysmic scale. I am almost tempted to not put this video on here just because Natalie Maines outfit is so digusting. While the rest of the group is hot, I have a hard time watching her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hntXAO_Rq7c

"Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?"- Paula Cole. I honestly think the reason this song was so successful (and the video for that matter) was because Paula Cole simply used music and nothing crazy in either one (an also on much of the album "This Fire"). This song is hilariously simple and true, as it shows the progression of male/female relationships from the early days in American history. However, Paula Cole, with flying colors wins the Late Night Music Award for the "Strangest Person in Music". She has been known to date rappers and actually carries herself as an African American because she was "a black woman in a previous life". Hey, you can't make that stuff up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPR108kwNo4

"Cowboy Casanova"- Carrie Underwood. Hate this song, just love me some Carrie Underwood!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7NQQ0Lfu4

"Should've Been A Cowboy"- Toby Keith. Toby Keith is one of the most comical people to witness when it comes to early looks in their career because he just looks absolutely ridiculous. Similar to Tim McGraw, he's one of those guys who should keep a cowboy hat on at all times. I mean, the guy already looks like the Joker with that big smile, and the mullet he is sporting here just makes him look more ridiculous. I realize it is 1993 and it's country music, but is all of that really necessary? Bonus points for the cowboy clips in the video. I love seeing people "live out their dreams".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIq1LvzSLsk

"Rhinestone Cowboy"- Glen Campbell. Wow, for a song I've always been a closet fan of (and even karaoked on more than one occasion), this video keeps the streak of ridiculous videos going with this hit from Glen Campbell. The funny thing is that Glen Campbell was coming off a stretch of unbelievable success over the last decade in 1975 and he records a song about "making it"? Always thought that was funny. However, the guy did date Tanya Tucker not long after this so something must have worked. In all seriousness, Glen Campbell has a great story of overcoming drug addiction to better his life, he just made some ridiculous videos along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHY8rDBhtI

"My Cowboy"- Jessie James. I have recently come across Jessie James and she has almost immediately shot to the top of the "she could be a future Mrs. Pigott" list with no signs of dropping any time soon. Simply put, there is no other woman with the exception of maybe Carrie Underwood that could pull off this song and make it so sexy. As I hear her say what she wants from a guy to be "her cowboy", I don't think I'd have any problem living up to that, especially seeing her dance around like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-dzl0XcDRo

"Ghetto Cowboy"- Mo Thugs Family. This song wins the award for the most ridiculous song on this list, and I would even venture to say, one of the most ridiculous songs ever. The Mo Thugs family was an "all star rap super group" which was headed up by Layzie Bone and Krayzie Bone from Bone Thugs N Harmony as a side project. This song here actually went to #1 on the Billboard Rap Charts in 1998 (yes I am not making that up). I have no idea what inspired this song, or why they even chose to record it. However, one of the biggest misunderstandings is that there were actually no black cowboys. If you look at American history, up to 30% of all of the Cowboys of the 1800's were black (and actually another 30-40% were Mexican). Ok, enough of the history lesson, this video is still stupid, but I can't help but like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIDZnifqkX8

"Cowboys From Hell"- Pantera. I think that's what they are saying- good luck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USDlhWJGinI

"The Cowboy In Me"- Tim McGraw. Like I said, when Tim McGraw has that hat on, he just looks so cool. The reason he's cool is because I could be dressed the exact same way with the same hat and I would look ridiculous. The simple fact that he can be so cool while wearing the same stuff makes him super cool. However, as I previously mentioned, you take that hat off of him, and even dress him up like a normal guy (see "Friday Night Lights" or "The Blind Side"), and Tim McGraw almost instantaneously loses his cool points. Great song here though. One of my Tim McGraw favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QDwep13uJA