It happened in March 2025. People were scrolling through TikTok when a snippet of something that sounded like a country-pop fever dream started circulating. Then, the full track dropped: "Cowboy" by Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco. If you've spent the last year trying to figure out if this was Selena’s "Cowboy Carter" moment or just a playful experiment with her boyfriend, you’re not alone. The lyrics are... a lot.
The Lyrics That Set the Internet on Fire
"Ride it like a cowboy / Run you out of town, boy."
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That’s the hook. It's simple, it's sticky, and it’s surprisingly aggressive for a Selena Gomez track. Honestly, if you grew up listening to "A Year Without Rain," this version of Selena feels like a total 180. The song isn't actually a country ballad. It’s a glitchy, bass-heavy pop track with a Western metaphor that basically describes a high-stakes, slightly chaotic relationship.
Some fans were genuinely confused when the lyrics first leaked. We're talking about lines like "I'm'a put that [expletive] in sports mode" and "I ain't lazy like them other [expletives]." It’s gritty. It’s raw. It features GloRilla on the remix, which should tell you everything you need to know about the vibe. This isn't "Wizards of Waverly Place" Selena; this is 2025 Selena who is deeply in love with Benny Blanco and doesn't care about keeping things PG anymore.
Who Actually Wrote This?
The credits for the selena gomez cowboy lyrics are a "who’s who" of modern pop. You’ve got Benny Blanco (Benjamin Levin), obviously. Then there’s Jake Torrey and Amanda "Kiddo" Ibanez. Even Magnus August Høiberg—better known as Cashmere Cat—is in the mix.
What’s interesting is how the songwriting reflects Selena’s current mindset. She’s been vocal about wanting to move away from the "sad girl" persona of Rare or Revelación. This track feels like she’s reclaiming her power, even if it’s through a somewhat campy cowboy lens.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the Meaning
When you look at the verses, there’s this recurring theme of "never leave my side" mixed with "put your hands on me." It’s a song about possessiveness and physical chemistry.
- The Cowboy Metaphor: It’s not about literal horses. It’s about control. "Riding" and "running someone out of town" are power moves.
- The Underwater Imagery: There’s a line about pretending to be "underwater" and "breathing me in so deep." It suggests an all-consuming, almost suffocating type of love.
- The GloRilla Influence: On the remix, GloRilla brings a level of "don't mess with me" energy that balances Selena's softer vocals.
The lyrics basically confirm what we've seen on Instagram for the past two years: Selena is in a stage of life where she’s unbothered by critics. She’s leaning into a more urban, experimental sound that she hasn't touched since maybe Stars Dance.
Was it a Tease for a Country Album?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Sorta.
In early 2026, we’ve seen Selena release more tracks like "In Your Light I’m Free" and "Heaven On Me," which lean more toward atmospheric pop and even some spiritual themes. "Cowboy" was the outlier. It was the "wild child" of the I Said I Love You First era.
Some critics argued the selena gomez cowboy lyrics were a bit too "TikTok-bait." They’re short, punchy, and perfect for a transition video. But for the "Selenators" who have been there since the beginning, the song represents a rare moment of Selena just having fun. She isn't trying to heal the world or talk about her kidney transplant. She’s just singing about a guy who makes her want to put her "sports mode" on.
The Production Nuance
If you listen closely to the Benny Blanco production, you'll hear these weird, warped vocal chops that almost sound like a horse whinnying, but processed through a synthesizer. It’s clever. It’s the kind of production detail that makes a song go viral on Discover.
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How to Actually Use These Lyrics
If you’re planning on using these lyrics for an Instagram caption (and let’s be real, that’s why half of you are here), you’ve got options.
- For the confident post: "Run you out of town, boy."
- For the relationship reveal: "Say you'll never leave my side."
- For the gym selfie (if you must): "Put that [expletive] in sports mode."
Just be aware that the lyrics are a bit more explicit than her usual fare. If your grandma follows you, maybe stick to the "lips like rain" line.
What’s Next for Selena in 2026?
As of January 2026, the I Said I Love You First deluxe album is the definitive version of this era. "Cowboy" remains one of the most-streamed tracks from that project, largely because it’s so divisive. You either love the "bad girl" energy or you miss the "Love You Like a Love Song" days.
If you want to dive deeper into the Selena/Benny discography, look for "Talk" or "Stained." They offer a bit more emotional depth than "Cowboy," but they don't quite have that same "lasso-swinging" energy.
Your Next Steps:
Check out the Cowboy (GloRilla Remix) if you want to hear the lyrics in their most aggressive form. If you're looking for the visual aesthetic, the lyric video released in March 2025 has all the Western-core inspiration you’ll need for your 2026 mood board. Just don't expect a full country album anytime soon—Selena is clearly enjoying her time in the pop-experimental lane.