You know that feeling when you hear a song and it just hits you like a freight train because it sounds like it was written specifically for your life? That’s basically what happened when Parker McCollum first heard Like a Cowboy.
Parker is a songwriter’s songwriter. He’s the guy who built a massive, cult-like following in Texas by bleeding into his notebook and refusing to record anything he didn't pen himself. So, when he dropped a track in 2020 that he didn't actually write, it felt like a bit of a curveball to the "Limestone Kid" diehards. But once you hear the track—and the story behind why he chose it—it all makes perfect sense.
Why Parker McCollum Like a Cowboy Isn't Your Typical Cover
Most people don't realize that Parker McCollum Like a Cowboy was written by none other than Chris Stapleton and Al Anderson. Yeah, that Chris Stapleton.
It was the first "outside cut" Parker ever recorded. For a guy who prides himself on his own penmanship, taking a song from someone else is a big deal. It's not something he did lightly. He actually listened to the demo about 15 times in a row before deciding he had to have it.
The song itself is a soaring, mid-tempo ballad that feels like a throwback to the 90s country era, but with that gritty, modern Texas edge Parker is known for. It’s lonesome. It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a guy who grew up on a ranch but spends his nights under neon lights.
The Connection to Bobby Yancey
If you want to understand the soul of this track, you have to look at the album art and the music video. The man staring back at you in those old photos isn't Parker—it’s his late grandfather, Bobby Yancey.
Parker spent his summers working as a ranch hand on his granddad's place in Limestone County. That’s where he learned what a real cowboy looks like. It’s not just about the hat or the boots; it’s about a specific kind of work ethic and a "lean forward" way of walking through life.
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He’s been quoted saying that Bobby was his best friend. When he heard the lyrics about riding like a thief on the run and flying like the wind to the sunset, he didn't see a fictional character. He saw the man who taught him how to be a man.
"He was one of my best friends... he believed in me so much that I know he’d be happy to see everything that’s happened in my career."
Recording this song was basically a three-minute thank you note to his grandfather. It was a way to keep that legacy alive now that he’s playing sold-out shows at RodeoHouston instead of hauling hay.
Breaking Down the Lyrics and Sound
Let's talk about the vibe. The production, handled by Jon Randall, is clean but heavy. It doesn't rely on the "snap tracks" or pop-country gimmicks that were cluttering up the radio back in 2020.
The lyrics tell a story of someone who is fundamentally uncontainable.
- "I'd ride like a thief on the run"
- "I'd hide from the things that I've done"
- "Just like a cowboy should do"
It’s about that restless spirit. Honestly, it fits Parker’s "Gold Chain Cowboy" persona perfectly. He’s a bit of a contradiction—a traditionalist who likes flashy things, a sensitive songwriter who looks like he could hold his own in a bar fight.
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Some listeners actually misinterpreted the song at first. There was some chatter online about it being a "confession" of sorts. People love to read into things. But the reality is much simpler: it’s an archetype. It’s about the struggle between wanting to stay and the internal drive to keep moving.
The Impact on His Career
While Like a Cowboy wasn't the massive #1 radio smash that "Pretty Heart" was, it did something arguably more important for Parker's brand. It bridged the gap between his Red Dirt roots and the Nashville machine.
It showed that he could take a song written by heavy hitters like Stapleton and make it sound like it originated in a dusty garage in Austin. That’s a hard trick to pull off. Most artists just end up sounding like a karaoke version of the songwriter. Parker made it his own.
The song appeared on his Hollywood Gold EP and later his major-label debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy. It’s become a staple of his live sets, usually serving as a moment where the high-energy show slows down and gets a little more "churchy."
What Most People Get Wrong
One big misconception is that Parker "sold out" by taking an outside song. People see a Nashville credit and get worried.
But if you look at the tracklist for Gold Chain Cowboy, Parker still wrote or co-wrote almost everything else. He didn't stop being a songwriter; he just became an artist who was smart enough to recognize a masterpiece when it landed on his desk.
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Also, it’s worth noting that the song has a bit of a double meaning. In certain parts of the South, a "cowboy" can also refer to someone who drives a bit too fast or lives a bit too reckless. Given Parker’s history and his "Limestone Kid" nickname, that duality probably wasn't lost on him.
How to Appreciate the Song Today
If you really want to "get" this track, don't just stream it on a crappy phone speaker while you're doing chores.
- Watch the "Behind the Song" video. Seeing the old footage of Bobby Yancey changes how you hear the chorus. It turns a song about a "thief on the run" into a song about a man who was larger than life.
- Listen to the acoustic version. Parker released a stripped-back performance that highlights the grit in his voice. Without the full band, you can really hear the Stapleton influence in the melody, but the delivery is pure McCollum.
- Check out the songwriters' other work. If you like the vibe of this track, dive into Al Anderson’s catalog. The guy is a legend for a reason.
Parker McCollum is currently one of the biggest names in the genre for a reason. He knows how to balance the old and the new. He knows that sometimes, the best way to tell your own story is through someone else's words—as long as those words ring true to where you came from.
To really dive into the world Parker built around this era, go back and listen to the full Hollywood Gold EP from start to finish. It’s the perfect snapshot of a Texas artist figuring out how to conquer the world without losing his soul. Pay close attention to how "Like a Cowboy" sits right next to his self-penned hits; you'll notice the emotional thread is exactly the same.
From here, your best move is to check out his live performance of the song from the Grand Ole Opry. It’s arguably the definitive version of the track, showing exactly why he’s earned his place on that stage.