Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan Challenge Stereotypes with Their Song ‘Cowboys Cry Too’
By Website Content Manager
Ballerini’s upcoming musical phase begins with this inspiring duet featuring Noah Kahan.
Kelsea Ballerini’s new musical chapter kicks off with “Cowboys Cry Too,” a collaboration with GRAMMY nominee Noah Kahan. This genre-blending track seeks to challenge stereotypes about masculinity, highlighting that even the most resilient individuals, like cowboys, have emotional moments. Despite societal expectations for men to remain stoic and unyielding, the song acknowledges that everyone, regardless of their toughness, can experience vulnerability and profound feelings.
“He’s as tough as the tattoos on his right arm/ And I’ve talked him down from a fight or two/ He stands firm, as stubborn as backyard weeds/ Because growing up, he followed wherever the wind took him/ He hides his heartache and pain, maybe he had to/ In a world that tells him, ‘Saddle up and be a man’/ When the sun sets and his hazel eyes turn blue/ That’s when I see it.”
Following the first chorus, Kahan contributes his self-penned verse before they harmonize together in the next chorus:
“’Cause cowboys cry too/ They might not show it in their hometown, thinking they have something to prove/ That well runs deep/ But when he reveals his true self to me, that’s when he’s the strongest in my eyes/ I never realized cowboys cry too.”
“I always felt that the song could have a greater impact with a male perspective that would truly open up and share his side of the story,” she shared in an interview on Today’s Country Radio on Apple Music Country. “Being a huge fan of Noah and his entire album, I knew he was very open and vulnerable in his music. So, I texted him the song, and he responded enthusiastically, saying he loved the idea of exploring men’s vulnerability and asked for a couple of weeks on the road to work on a verse. I was thrilled and sent him the song with an open verse.”
Prior to their performance together at the ACM Awards, they went into the studio and worked on finalizing the track.
“And he was like, ‘All right. Let’s pull up the track.’ So we did. And he was like, ‘This is just what I’ve written. Hadn’t seen it before or anything. Just let me know what you think. No worries if we want to change anything,’” she recalled. “And he sang it word for word for what his verse is. And I was so grateful because he didn’t round any edges. He was like, ‘Here’s my story, here’s my perspective.’ And I was just like chill bumps on chill bumps. I was so grateful.”
Regarding the song’s concept, Ballerini explained, “In a world where we often focus on highlight reels and appearances, real emotions can sometimes feel like they need to be pushed aside or suppressed. Especially for men raised with the ‘saddle up, brush it off’ mentality, influenced by toxic masculinity. I wanted to offer my perspective and celebrate the vulnerable men in my life. Noah’s raw and honest contribution truly brought the song to life in a profound and beautiful way.”
Kahan added, “It’s the writers who are willing to explore uncomfortable places that inspire me. Kelsea is one of those writers, and I knew that if we could find a shared vision, it would challenge and expand our perspectives on societal expectations. ‘Cowboys Cry Too’ embodies everything I hoped our collaboration would be.”