About the Song

Released in 1976 as part of the soundtrack for the film Mackintosh & T.J., “All Around Cowboy” finds Waylon Jennings right where he always belonged—on the fringes of the mainstream, singing songs about solitary men, dusty trails, and a kind of quiet honor that never needs applause.

At just under three minutes, “All Around Cowboy” is more than a western-themed song—it’s a character study. It tells the story of a man who’s spent his life riding the circuit, never staying too long, never asking for much. He’s known for being good at what he does—rodeos, broncs, the whole cowboy life—but deep down, he carries the weight of loneliness and the cost of drifting.

Waylon’s voice, rich with gravel and soul, is the perfect companion for this tale. He doesn’t oversell the drama. He just tells it straight—like a man who’s seen it all and understands that even champions go home to silence. The production is sparse but warm: acoustic guitars, steel licks, and a rhythm that rides like a slow horse across an empty plain.

This song—and the film it came from—may not have topped charts or filled stadiums, but for those who love Waylon Jennings for his truth, not just his hits, it stands as a fine example of his gift for storytelling. It’s about the kind of cowboy who doesn’t just win rodeos—he survives them. One town to the next. One ride at a time.

“All Around Cowboy” is for anyone who’s ever chosen the hard road over the easy crowd. It’s not about glory. It’s about grit. And no one sang that kind of story better than Waylon.

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