Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker had a more country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.
Original bassist Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash on April 28, 1980. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.
There was no band member named "Marshall Tucker". Originally, the band called itself The Toy Factory (named after lead-guitarist Toy Caldwell). But by the time the band released its first album they had become the Marshall Tucker Band. During a radio interview in Hempstead, NY in 1973, Tommy Caldwell explained the origins of the band's name:
"There's an old blind dude [in Spartanburg, SC] that tunes pianos, and his name is Marshall Tucker... We didn't name the band after him, but we just kind of liked that name and stuck with it."
This Ol' Cowboy
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
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Waiting on an eight o'clock train
My woman left me here last night
Things ain't been quite the same
I gotta get back to Dallas
And tie up a few loose ends
I'm gonna work a week make a hundred dollars
Aw and hit the road again
That you're the first one
To leave me out here on my own
Cause this ain't gonna be the first time
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
Now honey I've been a fool but a bigger fool
I can't remember when I've been
Just to open up my heart
And let you walk right in
Now there's one thing in this life
Ain't hard for me to do
That's as soon as I kiss the lips of another woman
I'm gonna forget all about you
So I don't want you to think
That you're the first one
To leave me out here on my own
No this ain't gonna be the first time
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
(Solo)
If you wrote all the woman's names down I know
And let me pick one out
I don't think there'd be one in the whole bunch
Aw I'd give a hoot about
So I don't want you to think
That you're the first one
To leave this ol' boy out here on his own
Cause this ain't gonna be the first time
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
No this ain't gonna be the first time
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
The Marshall Tucker Band's "This Ol' Cowboy" is a song about a man who's been left alone by his woman in San Antonio, waiting for a train. He reflects on his foolishness for letting her in his life and promises himself that he will forget about her as soon as he's with another woman. He's been in this situation before and he's not scared of being alone, because he's used to it. He sings about how he could pick any woman's name out of a list and not care about them. The song speaks to the resilience of a man who is used to being hurt, but doesn't let it break him.
The song was released in 1978 as a single and later appeared on The Marshall Tucker Band's album "Together Forever." The band was known for their blend of rock, country, and jazz, and for their Southern rock sound. The song was written by Doug Gray and Toy Caldwell, the band's lead singer and guitarist, respectively. The song became a fan favorite, and remains popular to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm sittin' down in San Anton'
I am currently sitting down in San Antonio
Waiting on an eight o'clock train
I am waiting for the 8:00 train
My woman left me here last night
My partner left me here last night
Things ain't been quite the same
Things have changed a bit since my partner left
I gotta get back to Dallas
I need to return to Dallas
And tie up a few loose ends
I have some loose ends to take care of
I'm gonna work a week make a hundred dollars
I plan to work for a week and earn $100
Aw and hit the road again
Then I'll hit the road again
So I don't want you to think
I don't want you to assume
That you're the first one
That you are the first person
To leave me out here on my own
To abandon me here alone
Cause this ain't gonna be the first time
This has happened before
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
I have been alone before
Now honey I've been a fool but a bigger fool
I have made mistakes, but none bigger than
I can't remember when I've been
I can't recall the last time I was
Just to open up my heart
To be vulnerable
And let you walk right in
To allow you into my life and heart
Now there's one thing in this life
There is one thing I know for sure
Ain't hard for me to do
It is not difficult for me to do
That's as soon as I kiss the lips of another woman
The moment I kiss another woman
I'm gonna forget all about you
I will forget about you
If you wrote all the woman's names down I know
If you wrote down all the women's names that I know
And let me pick one out
And allowed me to choose one
I don't think there'd be one in the whole bunch
None of them would interest me
Aw I'd give a hoot about
I wouldn't care at all
No this ain't gonna be the first time
This has happened before
This ol' cowboy spent the night alone
I have been alone before
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LeeMike233
My husband played this song on our first date. We ended up married for 27 years till he passed away 6 years ago. This was the theme song of his life and he makes me laugh and think of him whenever I hear this song.
@robertferguson3648
Nice memory
@thomasferrusi1345
God Rest Him 🙏
@patrickdebauche1541
I'm thinking he was a good man that loved a good song.
@robertferguson3648
@Patrick Debauche I think you’re right. Good luck to you
@patrickdebauche1541
Good for you sweetheart!!
@joevandenavond6656
My dad always told me “Grab a bottle of whiskey and listen to this song until you aren’t heartbroken anymore.” Some women take longer than others.
@paulblaesing4615
Joe Vanden Avond great advice! Your dad was a wise man.
@gus473
Bah! Listen to Dad, and the song, then go kiss that next one! 😎
@brittanymyers7552
That's some great advice!! And hes rite some take longer than others.