https://soundcloud.com/kybordr/rugged-cowboy

A song I wrote a few years ago, recently re-imagined using (as usual for me) drums and bass courtesy of Band In A Box.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Rugged Cowboy (2)
File:Rugged Cowboy (2).MGU
Key=C , Tempo 80, Length (m:s)=4:15
No intro. 83 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 83. Repeat x1 chorus
Style is C_90BAL.STY (Country 90's Ballad)
MIDI Drums :1 Standard Drum Kit (1)
RealDrums will be substituted :NashvilleEven8^2-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat
*******************

The RealDrums are straight from BIAB. The lightly edited BIAB bass line (MIDI) is rendered in Cubase (a GM fretless bass). The B3 is my performance using a combo jazz organ patch in Cubase. The "pedal steel" is an iOS pedal steel app performed on my iPad Pro, recorded into Cubase. The vocals are me.

This song is about someone very close to me (but not me, honest), after I came to realize he is probably never going to change. I think most of us know this guy.

Rugged Cowboy
© Robert Allen 2016
Lyrics and music by Robert Allen

Well I’ve got this bar stool, I’ve got an open tab
I’ve got deeper insights now, what I’ve lost and what I had
And I’ve got your number, I’ve got two bars on this phone
I’ve got half a mind to call you up, see if you’re alone, and tell you

I’m a rugged cowboy, I’m a rolling stone
Against the wind, against the world, out here on my own
I don’t need anyone, I guess I know the way
Anyway … that’s what the bourbon’s got to say

I’ve had time to think now, I guess I’ve made mistakes
Had my heart broke once or twice so I know what it takes
Had my words get away from me, leave my thoughts behind
Had Jim Beam in here with me, messing with my mind, and tell me

You’re a rugged cowboy, you're a regular rolling stone
Against the wind, against the world, out here on your own
You never needed anyone, I’m sure you know the way
Anyway … that’s what the bourbon’s got to say

Sure I’ve seen better days, I’ve seen the rain pour down
I’ve seen em fade away, seen em circle round
I tell myself stories, I guess that it’s OK
Sit here and listen to what the bourbon’s got to say

You’ve heard enough of this, now it just makes you sad
You’ve got deeper insights now, what you lost and what you had
You don’t have to tell me what I’ve lost and what I’ve gained
And if you have to ask me well I just can’t explain why

I’m a rugged cowboy, I’m a god damn rolling stone
Against the wind, against the world, out here on my own
I don’t need anyone, I guess I know the way
Anyway … that’s what the bourbon’s got to say

I’m a rugged cowboy, a regular rolling stone
Against the wind, against the world, out here on my own
I never needed anyone, I’m sure I know the way
Anyway … that’s what the bourbon’s got to say.