The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy

Album: Toy Story 4 soundtrack (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Chris Stapleton performs this country rambler for the soundtrack of the Toy Story 4 movie. He sings it over the closing credits.
  • Randy Newman's heartfelt yet childlike lyrics are from the perspective of Woody, the animated Toy Story cowboy voiced by Tom Hanks.

    You can't be happy when you're all by yourself
    Go on, tell me I'm wrong
    When someone takes you down from the shelf and plays with you some
    It's wonderful
    I was a lonesome cowboy
    But not anymore


    Newman explained: "Woody feels like he was a lonesome cowboy until someone comes along and changes his world."
  • Newman was involved with all three previous Toy Story movies, including the classic song "You've Got A Friend In Me." He also contributed another new tune to the Toy Story 4 soundtrack: "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.