By quantriweb2023 
In the vast and storied halls of American music, some songs are more than just melodies; they are time capsules, holding secrets and untold stories that wait years to be uncovered. For over a decade, fans have swayed to the familiar, comforting rhythm of “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” a beloved hit by the undisputed King of Country, George Strait. But a heartbreaking truth, simmering just beneath the surface of this seemingly simple tune, is now coming to light, re-framing the song not as a simple anthem, but as a deeply emotional tribute to a generation of forgotten women.
Released back in 2007 from his iconic album It Just Comes Natural, the song was embraced as another effortless classic from Strait. But sources close to the Nashville music scene from that era now speak of Strait’s profound, almost obsessive, desire to honor the unsung heroines of the American frontier. a veteran Nashville producer, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared a stunning recollection: “George came in with this look in his eye. He said he’d been reading old journals and histories of the West. He felt a great injustice had been done. He wasn’t just writing a song; he was trying to right a historical wrong. He felt a deep, personal connection to these women who history had simply erased.”
The song is a moving portrait of the strong-willed women who truly forged the West. These weren’t delicate damsels; they were warriors. These women, with their weathered faces etched with the stories of countless cattle drives and dusty trails, were the backbone of the frontier. As Strait’s powerful baritone rings out, it’s a cry for remembrance. He describes them as being “tough as nails” and “hard to tame,” a testament to the brutal conditions they not only survived but conquered.
In his own powerful words, Strait confessed his admiration, a confession that now carries a heavier weight: “I’ve been around the world, seen a lot of things/But I ain’t seen nothing quite like the way them cowgirls swing.” A source says this line was Strait’s personal admission that of all the world’s wonders, this quiet resilience was the most magnificent. He saw beyond their hardened exteriors, honoring their “gentle touch” and a “heart of gold,” qualities they clung to despite the relentless hardship of their lives.
The chorus, for years a simple, catchy refrain, now feels like a challenge, a desperate plea for recognition. When Strait sings, “How ’bout them cowgirls? Boys, ain’t they something?” he is speaking directly to a history that has overlooked them. It’s a rallying cry, a final, poignant attempt to give these women their due. It’s a reminder that their strength, their independence, and their unwavering spirit should not just be remembered, but celebrated as the cornerstone of the nation. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds, and a heartfelt, tearful tribute to the women who, despite facing countless challenges, helped shape the American frontier and left an indelible mark on all of our history.
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Lyrics
“How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls”
I felt the rush of the Rio Grande into Yellowstone
And I’ve seen first-hand Niagra Falls
And the lights of Vegas
I’ve criss-crossed down to Key Biscayane
And Chi-town via Bangor, Maine
Think I’ve seen it all
And all I can say is[Chorus:]
How ’bout them cowgirls
Boys ain’t they somthin’
Sure are some proud girls
And you can’t tell them nothin’
And I tell you right now girls
May just be seven wonders of this big, old round world
But how ’bout them cowgirlsShe’s a ridin’ colts in Steamboat Springs
Bailing hay outside Abilene
She’s trying hard
To fit in some city
But her home is ‘neath that big, blue sky
And the Northern Plains and those other wide open spaces[Chorus]
Boy, she don’t need you and she don’t need me
She can do just fine on her own two feet
But she wants a man who wants her to be herself
And she’ll never change, don’t know how to hide
Her stubborn will or her fightin’ side
But you treat her right and she’ll love you like no on elseYeah, how ’bout them cowgirls
Boys ain’t they somethin’
Sure some are proud girls
But you can’t beat their lovin’
And I’ll tell you right now girls
May just be seven wonders of this big, old round world
But how ’bout them cowgirls
How ’bout them boys