Urban Cowboy Songs: Relive the Hits from the Iconic Soundtrack

The 1980 film Urban Cowboy might have been a moderate success at the box office, but its soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, leaving an indelible mark on country music and popular culture. This double LP wasn’t just a collection of songs; it was the sonic embodiment of a movement, birthing a distinct style of country music known as “Urban Cowboy Songs” that resonated far beyond the honky-tonks of Texas.

The Urban Cowboy soundtrack spawned an impressive number of hits, crossing over into pop charts and solidifying the “urban cowboy” sound as a force in mainstream music. Featuring artists like Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, and Anne Murray, the album delivered three chart-topping country singles: “Lookin’ for Love,” “Stand By Me,” and “Could I Have This Dance.” Kenny Rogers’ contribution, “Love the World Away,” also climbed to No. 4 on the country charts, and all four songs broke into the pop Top 40. Adding to the crossover appeal, Boz Scaggs’ “Look What You’ve Done to Me” and Joe Walsh’s “All Night Long” further broadened the soundtrack’s reach into pop audiences.

The “urban cowboy” phenomenon itself cultivated a unique country style. It was characterized by catchy melodies with a soft rock sensibility, appealing to a wider audience than traditional country. Becky Mancuso-Winding, the film’s music coordinator, noted the influence of the “California sound” of bands like the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt on Nashville at the time. Speaking to Texas Monthly, she explained producer Irving Azoff’s vision: “Irving knew it was time for a crossover, and not just musically… He’d looked at the disco movement and Saturday Night Fever. He knew Urban Cowboy could impact the way people dressed, ate, danced, listened.”

Although Azoff initially envisioned a soundtrack dominated by the Eagles, the final tracklist expanded to include a diverse range of artists, including established acts like the Charlie Daniels Band. This expansion proved to be a stroke of genius, transforming the album into a compelling compilation that transcended the typical movie soundtrack.

Let’s delve into each of the 18 tracks on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack and explore what makes them quintessential “urban cowboy songs” in their own right:

• 18. Instrumentals (“Gilley’s Theme” and “Cowboy Stomp”): These instrumental pieces perfectly capture the energetic atmosphere of Gilley’s club, the iconic honky-tonk central to both the movie and the urban cowboy movement. While not vocal-driven hits, they are essential in establishing the soundtrack’s vibe and connecting the film’s setting to the listening experience. They evoke the dance floor energy that defined the era.
• 17. “Could I Have This Dance” – Anne Murray: A hallmark of sentimental ballads, Anne Murray’s hit is the quintessential slow dance song, perfectly suited for romantic moments. Its inclusion highlights the softer, more romantic side of the “urban cowboy songs” genre, moving beyond just the rowdy honky-tonk image. This song became a staple for weddings and romantic occasions, showcasing the emotional depth within the urban cowboy sound.
• 16. “Nine Tonight” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: Known for its powerful live performances, this Bob Seger track brings a dose of rock energy to the soundtrack. Driven by Seger’s urgent vocals, boogie-woogie piano, organ, and punchy horns, it represents the rock-infused side of urban cowboy music. While the studio version might be slightly repetitive, its raw energy and driving rhythm firmly place it within the spectrum of “urban cowboy songs” that blended country with rock sensibilities.
• 15. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” – The Charlie Daniels Band: This iconic Charlie Daniels Band hit, a previous country No. 1, fits seamlessly into the Urban Cowboy atmosphere. Its narrative style and fiddle-driven energy are quintessential elements of many “urban cowboy songs,” showcasing the storytelling and instrumental virtuosity that were also part of the movement.
• 14. “Here Comes the Hurt Again” – Mickey Gilley: Originally released in 1978, this piano ballad was re-recorded for Urban Cowboy and became a soundtrack highlight. Gilley’s grizzled vocals deliver a poignant lament, capturing the heartache and emotional vulnerability often found in “urban cowboy songs.” It’s the perfect soundtrack for a contemplative moment, embodying the “crying-in-your-whiskey” sentiment within the genre.
• 13. “Cherokee Fiddle” – Johnny Lee: Originally a hit for Michael Martin Murphey, Johnny Lee’s rendition for Urban Cowboy brought this song to a wider audience. Lee recounted how Irving Azoff discovered him performing it live. While it didn’t become a major country hit for Lee until a remixed version in 1982, “Cherokee Fiddle” is a great example of the storytelling and fiddle-centric sound often associated with “urban cowboy songs.”
• 12. “Darlin'” – Bonnie Raitt: Covered by Frankie Miller and David Rogers before Raitt, her version for Urban Cowboy became a showcase for her distinctive, melancholy voice. “Darlin'” highlights the bluesy undertones that sometimes surfaced within “urban cowboy songs,” demonstrating the genre’s capacity to incorporate diverse influences.
• 11. “Hearts Hotel” – Dan Fogelberg: Surprisingly not released as a single, this evocative Fogelberg song possesses all the hallmarks of a hit: a memorable guitar melody, a catchy hook, and emotionally resonant vocals. It exemplifies the softer, singer-songwriter style that contributed to the broad appeal of “urban cowboy songs,” appealing to listeners beyond traditional country fans.
• 10. “All Night Long” – Joe Walsh: While a more widely known live version exists on Eagles Live, this studio recording is a smoldering bar-band rocker. Featuring raucous piano and Walsh’s signature guitar work, it reached the pop Top 20, demonstrating the crossover power of “urban cowboy songs” and their ability to blend rock and country elements for mainstream success.
• 9. “Falling in Love for the Night” – Charlie Daniels Band: This second contribution from the Charlie Daniels Band offers a breezy, danceable vibe that perfectly complements the movie’s honky-tonk scenes. Its upbeat tempo and lighthearted lyrics are representative of the fun, carefree spirit that was also part of the “urban cowboy” phenomenon.
• 8. “Love the World Away” – Kenny Rogers: At the peak of his popularity, Kenny Rogers’ inclusion on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack further solidified his status and broadened the soundtrack’s appeal. “Love the World Away” is reminiscent of Glen Campbell’s gentle 70s ballads, demonstrating the softer, more pop-infused side of “urban cowboy songs” and their accessibility to a wide audience.
• 7. “Look What You’ve Done to Me” – Boz Scaggs: This smooth, seductive love song was specifically written for the film, showcasing the deliberate crafting of “urban cowboy songs” for cinematic impact. Songwriter David Foster and Scaggs were tasked with creating a tender song for Madolyn Smith’s character, Pam. The result is soft-rock perfection that became a significant adult contemporary hit, demonstrating how “urban cowboy songs” could seamlessly blend into different genres.
• 6. “Her Town Too” – James Taylor & J.D. Souther: This sparse and emotionally charged duet provided a poignant conclusion to the soundtrack. Enlisting Ricky Skaggs on mandolin, Souther and Ronstadt (though Ronstadt is not on this track, likely a typo in original text and should be J.D. Souther and James Taylor) created a tearjerker that highlights the lyrical depth and collaborative spirit sometimes found within “urban cowboy songs.”
• 5. “Lyin’ Eyes” – The Eagles: A hit long before Urban Cowboy, “Lyin’ Eyes” reached No. 8 on the country charts in 1975 and its inclusion solidified the Eagles’ connection to country crossover. Featuring Glenn Frey’s distinctive vocals, Bernie Leadon’s twangy guitar, and the band’s signature harmonies, it’s a prime example of the country-rock fusion that heavily influenced “urban cowboy songs.” Its Grammy win and Record of the Year nomination underscored its broad appeal.
• 4. “Stand By Me” – Mickey Gilley: Gilley’s tender country rendition of the Ben E. King classic became a signature “urban cowboy song.” Producer Jim Ed Norman specifically chose this song for its thematic resonance with the movie. Gilley’s heartfelt delivery transformed the soul classic into a country ballad that perfectly captured the romantic and vulnerable side of the urban cowboy persona.
• 3. “Don’t It Make Ya Wanna Dance” – Bonnie Raitt: Raitt’s performance of this pedal steel and fiddle-driven tune in Urban Cowboy gave it significant exposure. Her smoky vocals are perfectly suited to this high-energy track, showcasing the danceable, country-rocking side of “urban cowboy songs” and their emphasis on instrumental prowess.
• 2. “Hello Texas” – Hoyt Axton: As the perfect opening track, “Hello Texas” is a dust-kicking country-rock anthem. Featuring harmonica and soulful backing vocals, it’s an ode to Texas, the heartland of the urban cowboy movement. Its energetic and celebratory tone sets the stage for the rest of the soundtrack, embodying the pride and spirit associated with “urban cowboy songs.”
• 1. “Lookin’ for Love” – Johnny Lee: Johnny Lee’s chart-topping hit, “Lookin’ for Love,” is arguably the quintessential “urban cowboy song.” Lee recounted how he instantly connected with the song’s lyrics, feeling it mirrored his own life experiences. By changing the rhythm to a two-step, he transformed it into a dance floor staple. Lee’s world-weary vocals perfectly convey the song’s themes of love and longing, making it the defining track of the Urban Cowboy soundtrack and the “urban cowboy songs” movement.

The Urban Cowboy soundtrack not only amplified the movie’s impact but also crystallized a musical moment. It brought “urban cowboy songs” into the mainstream, demonstrating the commercial viability of country music that embraced pop and rock sensibilities. The album remains a testament to the power of a soundtrack to shape a genre and define a cultural era.