Stop everything and read the lyrics to Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” — to practice for the 2018 ACM Awards
The country community is getting ready to party. Because this Sunday, April 15th, Reba McEntire is hosting the 53rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.
During the 2018 ACM Awards, we’ll see Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and a number of other artists debut new songs, while Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and so many others will perform their biggest hits from the past year.
But in addition, the Academy of Country Music is trying something new this year called “ACM Flashbacks,” honoring legendary country music stars and songs. With the “flashbacks,” the 2018 ACM Awards will honor the accomplishments of a country artist or group, or the hit songs of a particular year, with a special live performance.
This year, ACM is honoring some of the top songs of 1993: “Does He Love You” by Reba McEntire, “Chattahoochee” by Alan Jackson, and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” by Toby Keith. The trio will each perform a duet version of their song with a special guest.
Blake Shelton is set to join Keith for a rousing rendition of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” that’ll surely have us on our feet. But it’s likely been a while since we all last heard this country hit, so here’s a quick refresher on the lyrics, per AZLyrics.com:
Verse 1
I bet you've never heard old Marshal Dillon say / Miss Kitty have you ever thought of running away / Settling down would you marry me / If I ask you twice and beg you pretty please / She'd've said, "Yes" in a New York minute / They never tied the knot / His heart wasn't in it / He stole a kiss as he rode away / He never hung his hat up at Kitty's place
Chorus
I should've been a cowboy / I should've learned to rope and ride / Wearing my six-shooter riding my pony on a cattle drive / Stealing the young girls' hearts / Just like Gene and Roy / Singing those campfire songs / I should've been a cowboy
Verse 2
I might have had a sidekick with a funny name / Running wild through the hills chasing Jesse James / Ending up on the brink of danger / Riding shotgun for the Texas Rangers / Go west young man, haven't you been told / California's full of whiskey, women and gold / Sleeping out all night beneath the desert stars / With a dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart
Chorus
I should've been a cowboy / I should've learned to rope and ride / Wearing my six-shooter riding my pony on a cattle drive / Stealing the young girls' hearts / Just like Gene and Roy / Singing those campfire songs / I should've been a cowboy
Chorus
I should've been a cowboy / I should've learned to rope and ride / Wearing my six-shooter riding my pony on a cattle drive / Stealing the young girls' hearts / Just like Gene and Roy / Singing those campfire songs / I should've been a cowboy
Outro
I should've been a cowboy / I should've been a cowboy / I should've been a cowboy
And here’s the music video, so you can practice alongside Toby Keith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIq1LvzSLsk?feature=oembed
While yes, this look is a little dated, we have to say, Keith is really working that permed mullet. Fingers crossed he brings it back for old time’s sake during the 2018 ACM Awards.
Be sure to catch Keith and Shelton perform at the awards show on Sunday!
