About the song
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” is a classic country music anthem that has left an indelible mark on the genre since its inception. Originally penned by Ed Bruce and his wife Patsy Bruce, the song first appeared on Ed Bruce’s self-titled 1976 album under United Artists Records. Its initial release saw considerable success, climbing to number 15 on the Hot Country Singles charts by late 1975 and early 1976. The song’s enduring appeal led to its inclusion on Chris LeDoux’s “Songbook of the American West” album, released on January 20, 1976.
At its core, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” serves as a poignant cautionary tale. The narrator, through heartfelt lyrics, advises mothers against allowing their children to pursue the challenging and nomadic lifestyle of a cowboy. It portrays the cowboy’s existence as tough and rootless, emphasizing the hardships and sacrifices inherent in cowboy culture.
The song’s cultural significance was underscored when members of the Western Writers of America recognized it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time, affirming its status as a quintessential representation of the American West in musical form.
In terms of critical reception, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” has garnered widespread acclaim over the years. Rolling Stone magazine, in its 2024 ranking of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, placed the song at an impressive number 69, highlighting its enduring popularity and impact on country music history.
The song’s legacy was further solidified when country music icons Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson covered it on their landmark 1978 duet album, “Waylon & Willie.” Their rendition soared to number 1 on the country music charts in March 1978, spending four weeks at the top spot. Beyond its chart success, the Jennings-Nelson version also reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned them the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1979.
Additionally, Willie Nelson’s rendition of the song gained additional fame when it was prominently featured in the 1979 film “The Electric Horseman,” starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. Decades later, in 2015, it found new relevance when used in a TV commercial for the Volkswagen Passat engine, showcasing its timeless appeal and universal recognition.
Video
Lyrics
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys ain’t easy to love and they’re harder to hold
And they’d rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levis
And each night begins a new day
And if you don’t understand him and he don’t die young
He’ll probably just ride away
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smoky old pool rooms, clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies and children, girls of the night
And them that don’t know him won’t like him and them that do
Sometimes won’t know how to take him
He ain’t wrong, he’s just different but his pride won’t let him
Do things to make you think he’s right
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They’ll never stay home and they’re always alone
Even with someone they love
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys