Garth Brooks

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
His eyes are cold and restless
An' his wounds have almost healed
And she'd give half of Texas
Just to change the way he feels
She knows his love's in Tulsa
An' she knows he's gonna go
Well, it ain't no woman flesh and blood
It's that damned old rodeo

[Chorus]
Well, it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles, the gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo

[Verse 2]
Well, she does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's "So long girl, I'll see you"
When it's time for him to go
You know the woman wants her cowboy
Like he wants his rodeo
[Chorus]
Well, it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles, the gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo

[Bridge]
It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive a man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play her game
And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo

[Chorus]
Well, it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles, the gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
[Outro]
It's the broncs and the blood, it's the steers and the mud
And they call the thing rodeo

Rodeo by Garth Brooks is a song that was written by Larry Bastian and originally titled "Miss Rodeo". Interestingly, Garth Brooks initially thought that the song ought to be sung by a woman, and he shopped the song around to "every female I know in the industry" trying to find someone to cut it. However, ten years later, Garth Brooks made alterations to the original song and cut it himself, retaining its title but changing its structure to suit his style.

About Rodeo

The song Rodeo is built upon the conceit that cowboys are similarly lured to the rodeo as sailors would be to a siren's call. The song features cowboy sports like bull riding and steer roping, which the narrator of the song cannot resist. The protagonist's lover is conflicted about her affection towards him, and the only two choices she is left with are either to leave him or deal with the consequences of being in a broken home.

Rodeo by Garth Brooks is a classic country song with emotive lyrics and rousing melodies. It is driven by Brooks's signature vocal style and his ability to connect emotionally with his listeners. The song is part of Brooks's long-standing legacy of hits, resonating with fans to this day.

The lyrics of Rodeo by Garth Brooks tell a deeply moving story. The song flows smoothly, and Brooks's laid-back style is infused with a palpable emotion that strikes a chord with listeners. The song highlights the experiences of the cowboy culture, including the lure of the rodeo, the cowboy's harrowing dangers, and the effect of a broken home on the people affected.

At the beginning of the song, the narrator reveals his intentions, admitting his love for the rodeo. The lyrics "And the better part of rodeo is the thing that keeps you coming" captures the essence of the protagonist's love for the rodeo. For him, the rodeo is as alluring as a siren's call. He's not satisfied with his current relationship, but he's stuck, unable to give up his passion for the rodeo.

The lyrics of the song build to the emotional climax, with Brooks painting a vivid and relatable picture of the effects of a broken home. The song's final lines, "The broken home that loveless built is all that’s left to me," are a poignant reminder of the importance of love and the devastating consequences of its absence or loss.

The instrumentation in Rodeo by Garth Brooks is excellent, with the guitar, drums, and bass creating a rich, warm sound. The harmony between the instruments and the vocals is perfect, lifting the song to a new level of emotion and power. The song's backing vocals, which come in at the song's chorus, add an extra layer of emotion to the song, driving home the song's theme of love and heartbreak.

In summary, Rodeo by Garth Brooks is an outstanding country song with emotive lyrics that pull at the heartstrings. The song explores the themes of a cowboy's love for the rodeo, the danger of the sport, and the consequences of a broken home. Brooks delivers a rousing vocal performance and excellent instrumentation that creates an unforgettable musical masterpiece loved by fans worldwide.

• Release Date: August 12, 1991
• Artist: Garth Brooks