Cowboys Never Cry
Shaylen Lyrics
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Could drink anybody under any towns bar
Definition of a Cool Hand Luke
Tougher than than the leather on his workday boots
That's why I fell in love with him
But I never got past that sun-worn skin
To see what was under all that strong
Till I was gone and
There it was in the rearview mirror
Broke wide open like a Tennessee river
Face went even more red than my tail lights (my tail lights)
Standing on the porch screaming, "Come back, baby"
This F150 almost did a one-eighty
When I saw those tears falling from his eyes
Where was this the whole time?
I thought cowboys never cry
Why'd it take me taking off
For him to be that guy that I've been waiting on?
Never seen that side of him
Wouldn't have to let go if he'da let me in
But I gave him all I had, guess he gave me what we could
When I asked about his day it was always just, good
Till it was goodbye
Got halfway down the drive
There it was in the rearview mirror
Broke wide open like a Tennessee river
Face went even more red than my tail lights (my tail lights)
Standing on the porch screaming, "Come back, baby"
This F150 almost did a one-eighty
When I saw those tears falling from his eyes
I thought cowboys never cry
There it was in the rearview mirror
Broke wide open like a Tennessee river
Face went even more red than my tail lights, yeah
Standing on the porch screaming, "Come back, baby"
This F150 almost did a one-eighty
When I saw those tears falling from his eyes
Where was this the whole time?
I thought cowboys never cry
Shaylen's "Cowboys Never Cry" paints a vivid picture of a complex relationship marred by emotional barriers and traditional masculinity. The lyrics open with a description of a rugged, hardworking man whose exterior reflects both physical toughness and emotional resilience. Phrases such as "calloused hands" and "stubborn heart" define him as a quintessential cowboy figure—someone who prided himself on strength, both in his labor and his emotional restraint. This idealization draws the singer in, enamored by his tough demeanor while also being metaphorically unable to penetrate the hard surface shielding his more vulnerable emotions. The allusion to "Cool Hand Luke" evokes a spirit of defiance and stoicism, suggesting that while he embodies the archetype of the strong, silent type, there's a significant emotional depth that remains unexplored.
As the singer begins to recognize the emotional distance in their relationship, a crucial moment unfolds when she prepares to leave. The intensity of this decision strips away the layers of her partner's stoicism, revealing a raw vulnerability not previously shared. The metaphor of the "Tennessee river" breaking wide open signifies an emotional flood; it suggests that the man's suppressed feelings are overflowing now that he faces losing someone he cares about deeply. The image of the love interest standing on the porch with tears evokes a sense of regret and desperation, as she's confronted with the startling realization that the man whom she believed to be unflappable displays profound grief when faced with potential abandonment. This moment contrasts sharply with her earlier perception that "cowboys never cry," underscoring the theme that emotional expression is often locked away behind societal expectations of masculinity.
The singer wrestles with conflicting emotions as she ponders why it took the impending loss for him to finally reveal this vulnerability. This revelation prompts her to ask, "Where was this the whole time?"—a profound rhetorical question that underscores a yearning for deeper emotional connection throughout their relationship. It reveals her frustration that such tenderness, usually reserved for moments of crisis, was not part of their everyday interactions. The lines about asking about his day—always receiving little more than "good"—accentuate a sense of stagnation in their communications, hinting that both partners were knowingly or unknowingly adhering to social conventions that kept them from truly sharing their inner selves. This emotional disconnect ultimately culminates in resignation; a recognition that perhaps their relationship was shackled by the limits of their ability to be open with one another.
The recurring imagery in the rearview mirror signifies a pivotal moment of reflection, revealing both past regret and unfulfilled potential. As she contemplates what could have been, she is faced with the painful realization that their love was not constructed on a solid foundation of emotional honesty. The repeated line "I thought cowboys never cry" serves as a haunting refrain, encapsulating the society's possibly flawed expectations on masculinity, which may signal to men that showing emotions is a weakness. This limits not only his ability to express feelings but her capacity to fully understand and connect with him. As she drives away, the singer is confronted with a mixture of sadness, disillusionment, and a bittersweet understanding that the love she desired was possible, yet it remained tantalizingly out of reach. The lyrics ultimately convey a poignant narrative about the struggles of intimacy in the face of entrenched gender norms and the barriers these create in loving relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Calloused hands, stubborn heart
Rugged and weathered from hard work, yet emotionally resistant and unwilling to change.
Could drink anybody under any towns bar
Possesses a remarkable ability to outlast others in social situations, showcasing a tough and enduring spirit.
Definition of a Cool Hand Luke
A quintessential figure who embodies calmness and composure in the face of challenges, illustrating an unshakeable demeanor.
Tougher than the leather on his workday boots
Possesses resilience and strength that surpasses even the durable material of his everyday footwear.
That's why I fell in love with him
His tough exterior and strong character drew me to him, sparking deep feelings of affection.
But I never got past that sun-worn skin
I struggled to look beyond his hardened exterior, missing the emotional depths that lay beneath.
To see what was under all that strong
To uncover the vulnerability hidden behind his robust and confident facade.
Till I was gone and
It wasn't until I left that the true emotional depths of his character began to reveal themselves.
There it was in the rearview mirror
A memory of the past suddenly became clear as I drove away, reflecting my emotional turmoil.
Broke wide open like a Tennessee river
His emotions cascaded and overflowed, reminiscent of a river in full flow, symbolizing an uncontrollable outpouring of feelings.
Face went even more red than my tail lights (my tail lights)
The embarrassment and shame on his face intensified, becoming more vivid than the glowing brake lights of my truck.
Standing on the porch screaming, 'Come back, baby'
He was desperate and emotionally raw, openly pleading for me to return, and revealing how much he cared.
This F150 almost did a one-eighty
I was so emotionally affected that I nearly turned my truck around in a moment of realization.
When I saw those tears falling from his eyes
Witnessing his tears highlighted the depth of his feelings, contrasting sharply with my previous perceptions of him.
Where was this the whole time?
I questioned why I had not seen this emotional side of him sooner, feeling a sense of regret and disbelief.
I thought cowboys never cry
I had always believed that tough, stoic men were emotionally impenetrable, unaware that he carried deep feelings.
Why'd it take me taking off
I pondered why it required my absence for him to finally express his true emotions.
For him to be that guy that I've been waiting on?
It seemed that only in my departure did he manifest the qualities I had long desired from him.
Never seen that side of him
I had overlooked the hidden vulnerability that now surfaced, proving that there was more to him than I realized.
Wouldn't have to let go if he'da let me in
If he had opened up and shared his emotions with me earlier, we might not have faced the painful separation.
But I gave him all I had, guess he gave me what we could
I poured my heart into our relationship, but he only reciprocated with what he felt was possible at that time.
When I asked about his day it was always just, good
His responses were consistently simple and superficial, reflecting his reluctance to engage on a deeper emotional level.
Till it was goodbye
Until the moment we parted ways, where the emotional weight of our relationship became painfully clear.
Got halfway down the drive
As I started to leave, the reality of our situation dawned on both of us.
There it was in the rearview mirror
Again, the memory of our moments together flooded back as I drove away, highlighting my emotional conflict.
Broke wide open like a Tennessee river
His emotions, spilling forth uncontrollably, bringing forth the reality that had been concealed until that moment.
Face went even more red than my tail lights (my tail lights)
His embarrassment grew deeper, his face revealing the pain of loss more vividly than before.
Standing on the porch screaming, 'Come back, baby'
His frantic cries echoed his desperation and longing, portraying the intensity of his feelings for me.
This F150 almost did a one-eighty
Once again, a surge of emotion nearly compelled me to turn back and reconsider our split.
When I saw those tears falling from his eyes
His tears served as undeniable proof of the affection I had long desired, revealing emotion I had thought absent.
Where was this the whole time?
I again questioned why this side of him had been hidden during our time together, feeling a mix of confusion and sorrow.
I thought cowboys never cry
The realization that toughness can coexist with vulnerability shattered my previous assumptions about emotional resilience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Evan Florin Cline, Seth William Ennis, Shaylen Lee Carroll
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnahrens8025
Wowww! What a song! What a voice! Where has that been hiding?
@Miraclebaby_17
Shaylen change my life with this song and this song makes me emotional and this song hits so beautiful and I love this song and Shaylen never miss the note and she is the best country singer ever and I can't stop listening to this song and I can't wait to hear more music from Shaylen!❤
@tomikhaos7248
She is amazing she has a great voice she's a great singer I am a thrasher heavy metal guitarists out of Chicago and I also go race cars I'll tell you what this woman here is going to go a long long way she has a beautiful voice and also congratulations to the band
@HannahsMusicAndNovels
My girl knocked it out of the park with this one! I'm in love!!! 😍😍😍
@albertozepedagrandetarechi1214
100% country 👍Saludos desde México.
@dorisallen5404
Love this song and love you, Shaylen! So happy you are living your dream!
@isabellas5426
amazing!!!! might be my new favorite song
@allisonjoy454
Damn. Shaylen you’re so damn talented, you sound incredible. I especially loved the chorus. Great job!!
@brocksmith3772
Thank you so much its finally here❤❤❤
@BettyRaber-zb6tu
Absolutely love this song😍😍😍 pure talent