Whether you’re a lover of horses, a fan of country music or a fan of music in general, you’ve probably heard songs that reference these gentle giants. With so many great songs about horses to pick from, we tried to narrow it down to just 10.
1. Back in the Saddle Again, Gene Autry
“I’m back in the saddle again......Out where a friend is a friend......Where the longhorn cattle feed....On the lowly jimsonweed....Back in the saddle again.” This iconic Gene Autry song was originally released all the way back in 1939. Almost 60 years later, in 1997, the song was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.
2. Tennessee Stud, Johnny Cash
The song was actually originally written by Jimmy Driftwood and recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1959 but it was made famous by Johnny Cash in 1972. The song tells the story of a man and his green-eyed stallion.
3. Wild Horses, Garth Brooks
The song was part of his 1990 album No Fences but was not released as a single until a decade later. The song is about a cowboy in a classic conundrum, the rodeo trail or love.
4. Heavy Horses, Jethro Tull
The song was inspired by a band member living out in the country for a year. It is the title track of their 1978 album.
5. Beer For My Horses, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
“Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.” What else needs to be said?
6. Chestnut Mare, The Byrds
The song was written for a play but eventually became a mainstay on American radio. It was released in 1970 and reached No. 121 on the Billboard Charts. It is about a man’s quest to tame a wild horse.
7. The Strawberry Roan, Marty Robbins
The song was originally written as a poem by a California cowboy in 1915. In the 1930s, it became popular and it was turned into a mainstream hit by Marty Robbins in 1959 as part of his album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.
8. Wild Horses, The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stone Magazine ranks this as one of the Top 500 songs of all time. It reached No. 11 in Canada and No. 28 in the U.S.
9. Elton John, Live Like Horses
“Someday we’ll live like horses.....Free rein.......From you old iron fences......There’s more ways than one......To regain your senses......Break out the stalls.......And we’ll live like horses.”
10. Saddle, Paul Cauthen
A modern country song that sounds straight out of the old West. This is one that makes you want to ride all night.
