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Top 20 Horsey Songs of All Time January 20, 2012 By Charlie Scoggin, DVM, MS

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As I was driving along in my wife’s vehicle—which is equipped with satellite radio—I flipped to the “80s on 8” channel and was greeted by the ageless voice of Casey Kasem as he was deejaying a Top 20 hit list from the 1980s. Hearing his voice got me thinking about—if given a chance—what would be a Top 20 list of the best “horsey” songs? The only qualifications to make the list were that the songs: (a) had to be about a horse(s); (b) were about something equine-related; or (c) referenced a song about something equine-related.  As you will see, this list is an amalgamation of various genres and artists, but they all, at least as far as I’m concerned, have a rightful place in my “Top 20 Horsey Songs of All Time.” 

20. “Rappin’ Duke” by Rappin’ Duke.  The opening lyrics say it all:  So you think your bad with your rap / I tell ya Pilgrim I started the crap / When you were in diapers and wetting the sheets / I was at Ponderosa rapping to the beat.  This song is also by someone who fashions himself (both lyrically and vocally) hip-hop’s John Wayne. 

19. “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G.  I know, you’re probably wondering how the late Brooklyn-born Big Poppa could have anything to do with a horse or an equine-related activity.  But therein lies his genius.  He referenced the #20 song in one of his own best songs:  Remember Rappin’ Duke?  Duh-ha duh-ha / You never thought hip-hop would take it this far / Now I’m in the limelight cuz I rhyme tight. 

18. “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” by Emmylou Harris.  Even though it’s a little whiny at times, I still really like Emmylou’s voice, and it fits this song well.  It’s also not a half bad song to play the air-guitar to, especially during the guitar solo. 

17. “Much Too Young (to feel this damn old)” by Garth Brooks.  I’m not the biggest Garth Brooks fan, but a lot of his songs are catchy, and there was a time back in the ‘90s when he nearly ruled the world (or at list the country music charts).  I like this song because I can relate to some of the lyrics (To sleep would be best / But I just can’t afford to rest), and he mentions the Mile High City, which is home to my beloved Denver Tebows…err, Broncos (I gotta ride in Denver tomorrow night).  

16. “Back in the Saddle Again” by Gene Autry.  Mr. Autry is the quintessential cowboy singer, and this song would make anyone’s Top 20 list.  It also wants me to get a concealed weapons permit so I could be “Ridin’ the range once more / Totin’ my old 44.”  

15. “Gallows Pole” by Led Zeppelin.  I know, this one is also a stretch, but I had to find a way to work in one of my favorite bands of all time.  Robert Plant does claim that he “Can see my friends comin’ / Ridin’ many a miles,” and I’m assuming he’s talking about his friends riding horses, so this song has a proper place in the countdown.  

14. “Beer for My Horses” by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson.  I’m sure a lot of people thought Toby and Willie were crazy, but—and just ask some of the old-school trainers—beer is considered a decent treatment for anhidrosis.  Rumor has it Zenyatta preferred Guinness Stout when she was on the track.  Nineteen wins in a row lends a lot of credibility for giving horses beer!  

13. “Angel from Montgomery” originally by John Prine but nicely covered by Bonnie Raite.  It seems more fitting for a woman to sing this song, and I’ve always been a Bonnie Raite fan.  The pain and anguish in this song is nearly palpable, and I’m sure my wife (at times) wonders, “How in the hell can a person / Go to work in the morning / Come home in the evening / And have nothing to say?”  (BTW:  Bonnie wanting a “poster of an old rodeo” is why this song makes this list).  

12. “Good life” by Kanye West.  Okay, this song has nothing to do with horses—at least on the surface.  But, when I think about my family, my job, and my friends, I, much like the Louis Vuitton Don himself, truly believe I’m living the Good Life (except, at times during the breeding season).  

11. “Not Afraid” by Eminem.  Again, a stretch, but hear me out on this one.  While no overt horsey references are made, I’ve personally made up my own rap to the beat of this song.  It’s called “His name is Blame” in honor of the 2010 Breeder’s Cup Classic Champion, and here’s a sampling of the lyrics:

                        His name is Blame

                        The best in the land

                        Everybody, throw up your hands

                        He beat Zenyatta by a nose

                        And the rest of the field by much mo’

                        Just lettin’ you know that you’re not alone

                        If you thought he’d bring the Classic home

The LP and video are currently in production, so stay tuned for the upcoming release. 

10. “Run for the Roses” by Dan Fogelberg.  This song is a little corny, but when you watch it with clips from various races, it can give you goosebumps.  

9. “Sweet Baby James” by James Taylor.  James Taylor and his acoustic guitar go together like a rectal sleeve and my left arm…a perfect match!  Seriously, not only are there a couple “horsey” references in this song, but I sing this song to my daughter every night before she goes to bed.  Nope, her name ain’t James, but that’s what ad-libbing is for.  

8. “Dead Flowers” by the Rolling Stones.  I love this song for two reasons.  Number one, they mention one of my favorite sporting events:  When you’re sitting back / In your rose-pink Cadillac / Making bets on Kentucky Derby day.  Second, my dad is a huge Stones fan, and I have a fond memory of watching them fly in on a helicopter into Folsom Field in Boulder, CO when I was kid.  Right then and there, I knew what the true definition of a Rock Star(s) was/were.  

7. “Cadillac Cowboy” by Chris Ledoux.  GOD BLESS CHRIS LEDOUX!  This song has one of the best choruses of all time:  10-4 buddy, come on back / A horse trailer on a Cadillac / Yeah, we’re talking to the cowboy / In the Coupe de Ville / Chug-a-luggin’ up one side / Slidin’ down the other / I’m a lover of the other side of the hill.  Also, when we have a bad-acting mare on the twitch, I love nothing more than to tell the person holding her to “Hold tight with a leather fist / Watch out when she starts to twist.” 

6. “Regulate” by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg.  While not exactly containing any lyrics that are of the equine-persuasion, there is a sound bite from the movie, “Young Guns,” so it counts (at least according to my qualifications).  It also features the late and great Nate Dogg, who somehow made (and probably smoked) millions of dollars singing in a gangsta monotone. 

5. “My heroes have always been cowboys” by Willie Nelson.  Speaking of smoking millions, what Top 20 list featuring songs about horses would be complete without Willie?  Don’t worry, this one isn’t the only song of his that’ll pop up on the list.  And while there are so many of his songs to choose from, certain lyrics in this song are so emotive (even downright haunting), that you want to reach through the speakers and help ease a cowboy’s sorrow by giving him a hug:  Sadly in search of / But one step in back of / Themselves, and their slow-movin’ dreams. 

4. “Tennessee Stud” by Johnny Cash.  The Man in Black definitely deserves a spot on this countdown.  And after the first time I heard this song, I always wish that I had an uncle named “Thud” just so I could tell everyone that he used to ride a “Tennessee stud.”  

3. “Infield” by The Nappy Roots.  Since moving to Kentucky, I’ve become a huge fan of these Country Boys.  Their positive lyrics, combined with both urban and hillbilly sounds, provide them with a wholly unique sound with a whole lotta flava.  My favorite verse (and also my current ringtone) makes certain they have a rightful place in this list:  I rep the K to the Y / Alright all night I ride / Just left the Nasty ‘Natti / Headin’ south on 75 / Stop in Lex for a sec / Got some sweet potato pie / Got my bourbon filled with bourbon / And I’m headin’ for the sky / I’m flyyyyy / Like the first Saturday in May / All work, no play / No way, Jose.

*In case you’re in need of some translation: 

            Nasty ‘Natti = Cincinnati

            75 = Interstate 75 that goes south from Cincinnati to Lexington, KY (Lex)

            First Saturday in May = Kentucky Derby Day

            Bourbon = Primary source of hydration in the county and state in which I live 

2. “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones.  All I can say is, “Duh!”  There’s no more appropriate “horsey” song than this one.  Also, when Mick drones on about how he “Watched you suffer / A dull-aching pain” it touches something deep inside of me, and reminds me how I feel the next day after a cow-kick from a yearling.  

1. “Mommas Don’t Let your babies grow up to be cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.  Once again, DUH!  This song is so obviously, and by far and away, my number one choice, that it was the first song I wrote down when I was coming up with this list.  What makes this song so personally special to me is the fact that my dad (a physician) and his old roping partner (an attorney) proved Willie and Waylon that you could be both a cowboy and a doctor or lawyer (or such)!

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