Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
Mad Cowboy Disease
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This little lady down in Texas, tight tank top and a tan
Rockin' three religion bridges, drinkin' beer in a can
She was too hot to two-step, I was too dumb just to leave her alone
But I made up my mind and I felt a fever comin' on
Kinda gettin' hotter
My one good eye rode straight back in my head
Makes a Texas tornado seem like a cool breeze
I can feel it comin' over me mad cowboy disease, oh yeah
Well, I was one line away from scoring a win
But I was two shots shy of three sheets to the wind
Must've drank a hundred dollars
Sittin' there just tryin' to work up the nerve
Well one more here for my jitters then I'll stagger reaching over to her
I really couldn't walk that good
Oh, excuse me there kinda drippin' all over myself
Oh, Lordy, oh boy, here we go again
Talking like Mel Tillis I said what's your name
She said you ain't no player boy and I ain't no good for the game
You're kind of cute but when you're feelin' better give me a call
And with her black eye liner she wrote her number on my tremblin' palm
Yeah, my knees started shakin', I was breakin' out a sweat
Tryin' to memorize her number 'cause my hand was gettin' wet
I was showing the symptoms looking for a remedy
I can feel it coming over me, mad cowboy disease
Oh, I got the mad cowboy disease, little hoof in the mouth
Makes your tongue hand out all the way to the floor
Down on my hands and knees, beggin' like a hungry dog
What do you mean get off my knees?
I kinda like it down here, does anybody got a leash?
I'm startin' to get a little rabid, you know what I mean?
The lyrics of "Mad Cowboy Disease" by John Michael Montgomery describe a story of a man who meets a woman in Texas and becomes infatuated with her. Despite her warning that he is not a player and she is not good for the game, he tries to impress her. As he drinks more and becomes increasingly drunk, he realizes that he has caught "mad cowboy disease." This disease has symptoms that are compared to those of a Texas tornado, causing the man to lose control and act like a mad cowboy.
The metaphor of "mad cowboy disease" may be interpreted as a commentary on the cultural stereotype of the cowboy as a rugged, independent figure who is prone to recklessness and aggression. By comparing the man's behavior to that of a cowboy who has gone mad, the lyrics suggest that this stereotype can have dangerous consequences. The lyrics also depict the man's struggle to control his impulses, as he tries to work up the nerve to approach the woman.
The song may be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of indulging in alcohol and reckless behavior. It suggests that the desire to impress others and the pressure to conform to cultural stereotypes can lead to destructive outcomes. Ultimately, the song implies that the only cure for "mad cowboy disease" is to break free from these pressures and to find one's own way in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, here we go man
The singer is excitedly beginning his story
This little lady down in Texas, tight tank top and a tan
The singer sees an attractive woman in Texas
Rockin' three religion bridges, drinkin' beer in a can
The woman is drinking beer and wearing clothing representing multiple religions
She was too hot to two-step, I was too dumb just to leave her alone
The artist was attracted to the woman and did not want to leave her side
But I made up my mind and I felt a fever comin' on Kinda gettin' hotter
The artist decides to make a move and feels excited
Yeah, my knuckles turned white, my neck turned red My one good eye rode straight back in my head Makes a Texas tornado seem like a cool breeze
The singer becomes extremely nervous and overheated
I can feel it comin' over me mad cowboy disease, oh yeah
The singer feels overwhelmed and fears he has 'mad cowboy disease'
Well, I was one line away from scoring a win But I was two shots shy of three sheets to the wind Must've drank a hundred dollars Sittin' there just tryin' to work up the nerve
The artist is trying to impress the woman but has had too much to drink
Well one more here for my jitters then I'll stagger reaching over to her
The artist decides to have one more drink before making a move
I really couldn't walk that good Oh, excuse me there kinda drippin' all over myself Oh, Lordy, oh boy, here we go again Talking like Mel Tillis I said what's your name
The artist is stumbling and slurring his words as he tries to introduce himself
She said you ain't no player boy and I ain't no good for the game You're kind of cute but when you're feelin' better give me a call And with her black eye liner she wrote her number on my tremblin' palm
The woman is not interested in a one-night stand but gives the singer her number
Yeah, my knees started shakin', I was breakin' out a sweat Tryin' to memorize her number 'cause my hand was gettin' wet I was showing the symptoms looking for a remedy
The artist is extremely nervous and trying to remember the woman's number
I can feel it coming over me, mad cowboy disease
The singer's anxiety intensifies and he feels the onset of his 'mad cowboy disease'
Oh, I got the mad cowboy disease, little hoof in the mouth Makes your tongue hand out all the way to the floor Down on my hands and knees, beggin' like a hungry dog
The singer is overwhelmed with desire and compares it to an illness
What do you mean get off my knees? I kinda like it down here, does anybody got a leash? I'm startin' to get a little rabid, you know what I mean?
The singer jokes about his desire and makes light of his anxious behavior
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON MADDUX, JAMEY JOHNSON, JEREMY POPOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind