Rhinestone Cowboy

Album: Rhinestone Cowboy (1975)
Charted: 4 1
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  • I've been walkin' these streets so long
    Singin' the same old song
    I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway
    Where hustle's the name of the game
    And nice guys get washed away like the snow and the rain
    There's been a load of compromisin'
    On the road to my horizon
    But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

    Like a rhinestone cowboy
    Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
    Like a rhinestone cowboy
    Getting cards and letters from people I don't even know
    And offers comin' over the phone

    Well, I really don't mind the rain
    And a smile can hide all the pain
    But you're down when you're ridin' the train
    That's takin' the long way
    And I dream of the things I'll do
    With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe
    There'll be a load of compromisin'
    On the road to my horizon
    But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

    Like a rhinestone cowboy
    Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
    Rhinestone cowboy
    Gettin' cards and letters from people I don't even know
    And offers comin' over the phone

    Like a rhinestone cowboy
    Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo

    Like a rhinestone cowboy
    Gettin' cards and letters from people I don't even know Writer/s: Larry Weiss
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 21

  • John from City Of IndustryI think the song applies to almost anyone. It could be a drug addict or a sex worker, but indeed it could be anyone.
  • Rbb from UkLarry sure wrote a banger.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 15, 1975, Glen Campbell performed "Rhinestone Cowboy" on the NBC-TV musical variety late-night program 'The Midnight Special"...
    At the time the song was at #6 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, three weeks later it would peak at #1 {for 2 weeks} and it spent close to a half-year on the Top 100 {23 weeks}...
    And it also reached #1 on two other Billboard charts, Hot Country Singles and Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, while in Canada it would reach #1 on the RPM Singles & the RPM Country charts...
    During the calendar year of 1975 two other 'Cowboy' songs made the Top 100 chart, "Ride 'Em Cowboy" by Paul Davis {at #23} and "Christmas for Cowboys" by John Denver {at #58}...
    Sadly, Glen Travis Campbell passed away at the age of 81 earlier this month on August 8th {2017}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 31st, 2017 the National Guitar Museum in New York announced that its Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded to Glen Campbell...
    Between 1961 and 2014 he had thirty-eight records on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; five made the Top 10* with two reaching #1; "Rhinestone Cowboy" for two weeks in 1975 and "Southern Nights" for one week in 1977...
    May God bless and watch over Mr. Campbell...
    * He just missed having a sixth Top 10 record when "Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.)" peaked at #11 for two weeks in 1976.
  • Susan from Atlanta, GeorgiaI just always thought "star-spangled rodeo" was another way of saying an all-American cowboy.
  • Kelli from Mayberry, OhDavid Allan Coe was the front singer for Americana/Outlaw country radicals The Eli Radish Band around the time of this hit. Ironic that Coe didn't wish to release this song and told writer Larry Weiss that it was because "he didn't feel comfortable singing about himself". MANY of Coe's later solo hits prominently included his own name. It was Coe that brought the rhinestone suit tradition to Radish, although they juxtaposed the country glam with long hair, ripped blue jeans and a decidedly outlaw biker fashion sense. See: http://www.EliRadishBand.com and http://www.Facebook.com/EliRadishBand for more information.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhGlen Campbell had a string of hits and is a super talented and very accomplished singer/songwriter/guitarist. I was also young and carefree when his music was popular and hearing his music reminds me of those innocent days when he and a few other country stars were bridging the gap between country and mainstream music.
  • Budoshi from Sandnessjøen, NorwayThe Star Spangled rodeo is what you see when you're on the rodeos.. Just a comment on the circus and the public who loves it..
  • Kristin from Bessemer, AlThis song was featured in the 1996 Comedy "High School High", at a dance when the record got damaged from being "scratched"-
  • Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesThis is a masterpiece. I wonder, however, what the part "star-spangled rodeo" is all about. What is Glen Campbell talking about? I only listen and enjoy. I haven't really figured out what this song is about.
  • Mark from Lancaster, Oh"...they're wrong, I know they are, 'cause I can play this here guitar, and I won't quit 'til I'm a star..."

    Well, it's almost the same as "On Broadway," but we can forgive Glen Campbell for almost anything: his popular TV show bridged the gap between country and mainstream music, infuriating Nashville purists but forever enriching American music.

    I don't believe that he recorded anything much after this song, and it's not his best, but I'm glad it did so well.
  • Tony from Grayslake, IlEither Glen Campbell has a time machine or he ripped this beeotch from DAC. Don't get me wrong, I love the Glenster, but I do believe that "In 1973 he (David Allen Coe) joined Danny Sheridan's notorious Eli Radish Band. His concerts were wild and unpredictable, as Coe began calling himself the Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy and he wore a rhinestone costume and Lone Ranger mask, riding into concerts on a motorcycle."

    Now, who believes that Glen Cambell created the RHC BEFORE DAC? NOT!
  • Jon from Oakridge, OrDavid Alan Coe is awesome, and this song is laim yet great.
  • Kevin from San Jose, CaGlen almost got his a$$ kicked by David Allan Coe, the original rhinestone cowboy, for singing this one. He answers with the song "Ride 'Em Cowboy."
  • Savannah from North Van, Bc, CanadaI LOVE RHINESTONES!!!!! AND COUNTRY MUSIC
  • Paula from Lexington, KyDon't be an idiot. Rhinestone Cowboy is about a country singer who wants to be famous. Not a wannabe cowboy.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InI was only six when this was a hit, but I loved it and still do. It takes me back to a time when I had no responsibilties and looked forward to the future. It's a simple song with a simple message. I enjoy that from time to time. AM radio is not what it was back in the 70's. Timeless classic for sure and I'll never tire of it.
  • M Paul from Green Bay, Wii guess there is a live version recorded last year in a phoenix drunk tank. check it out
  • Ken from Louisville, KyJohnny Carson was so taken with this song he actually - on a dare - a solo version of this song on The Tonight Show" - in a rhinestone outfit while riding a donkey! Johnny had done impromptu duets before, with Pearl Bailey and others, but this was his first - and only - solo singing performance on the show.
  • Jude from Thomasville, GaLord, the little AM station in my hometown wore this record out! It was a long time ago, but I think I know the lyrics by heart. It's still a good song, though.
  • Clarence from Brunswick, Gathere is a part in the movie Rhinestone where you can here cambell singing this song in the background
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