The least populated state in America, Wyoming is known for its wide-open spaces, agriculture, cowboys, and ranches so you’ll find lots of rodeos and country music venues here.
As a result, all the songs written about Wyoming tend to have lyrics that illustrate the landscape of this beautiful state. Musicians often sing about the prairies and mountain ranges or the diversity of wild animals found here.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at 11 of the best songs about Wyoming, so you’ll see a variety of music that speaks to the wonder of this place. Let’s get started.
1. “Song Of Wyoming” By John Denver
The beautiful ballad “Song of Wyoming” by folk and country singer John Denver came out in 1975 on his album, Windsong. The lyrics begin with the singer watching the sunset after a long, tiring day. He reflects on the beauty and peacefulness of the land.
Toward the end of the song, he awakes the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Throughout the song, he refers to the environment, mentioning the sound of the birds and coyotes nearby.
Denver sings about the cottonwood trees and the sage, painting a picture of the place he is in. It is clear from these lyrics that Wyoming held a special place in Denver’s heart.
2. “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” By George Strait
Country music artist George Strait came out with “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” in 1996. It was part of his album Blue Clear Sky; Erv Woolsey and Aaron Baker wrote the lyrics. Cheyenne is the capital city of Wyoming.
This song is about a cowboy who travels from town to town going to rodeos. He calls his wife to tell her that he is coming home, but she tells him not to because she has moved on. She is fed up with being left alone while he is out at the rodeos.
In the end, the man seems relieved that he doesn’t need to worry about getting home to her and says he’ll go to Cheyenne. This is the life of a cowboy, just continuing to the next rodeo.
3. “My Sweet Wyoming Home” By Bill Staines
Folk singer Bill Staines came out with “My Sweet Wyoming Home” in 1975; it appeared on his fifth album, Miles. In this tune, he sings about going home to Wyoming after being out on the road for a long time.
He has been traveling around, watching his friends win big at the rodeo. He hasn’t had much luck and feels like it has been a waste of time and money.
Staines’ lyrics refer to the quiet peace that he finds at home in Wyoming. Listeners can imagine the sound of the coyotes howling and the brightness of the moon.
4. “The Beaches Of Cheyenne” By Garth Brooks
The song “The Beaches of Cheyenne” appeared on country music artist Garth Brooks’ album Fresh Horses. The tune tells a story about a man who died while riding a bull in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Many have speculated that this song was inspired by Lane Frost, a cowboy who died in 1989 after being thrown by a bull.
The title of the song refers to the man’s wife, who has a hard time dealing with the news of his death. It is said that she walks along the beach every night and that you can see her footprints.
5. “Leaving Wyoming” By Northcote
From Northcote‘s 2015 album Hope is Made of Steel comes the track “Leaving Wyoming.” The song is sung from the perspective of a young adult whose parents get divorced. Instead of choosing to stay with one of them, this person leaves the state entirely.
Later on in the song, the lyrics suggest that it has been so long since they have seen one or both of their parents that they likely wouldn’t recognize them anymore.
Another aspect of this song is a reference to the singer talking to someone in their garden. It sounds as though one of the parents has passed away.
6. “Wyoming Wind” By Chancey Williams
The sad ballad “Wyoming Wind” came out on Chancey Williams‘ album 3rd Street in 2020. This country music song, like many others, is about a rodeo man.
In the lyrics, he is compared to the Wyoming wind and how they are both free. His wife is left alone while he is out competing and traveling to different rodeos.
At the end of the song, we learn the husband died after being injured by a bull in a competition. The lyrics wrap up nicely, referring to his ashes as being scattered in the Wyoming Wind.
7. “What Happened In Wyoming” By Envoi
Cleveland pop-punk band Envoi came out with “What Happened in Wyoming” from their album Changes in 2013. Despite the intriguing title, listeners do not learn what happened in Wyoming. The song lyrics can be interpreted in different ways.
This catchy tune appears to be about going through a difficult period. The singer refers to their sins–one can assume that there was a distressing incident. Some of the lyrics are elusive, like the phrase about making it right.
This may refer to an apology but could also have to do with getting vengeance since earlier in the lyrics there is mention of using their fist.
8. “Paint Me Back Home In Wyoming” By Chris LeDoux
The country music song “Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming” is the title track from Chris LeDoux’s 1978 album. It is about a woman who is outside painting when a cowboy comes along and crosses her path.
When she asks him if she can put him in her painting, he suggests that he wants to be painted back home.
He misses the open land that was his home. He sees coming to New York as a mistake as it is not the right fit for who he is, and he feels alone here.
9. “Happy Birthday (From Wyoming)” By Mario Matteoli
Up next is the song “Happy Birthday (from Wyoming).” This is the 12th track from Mario Matteoli’s album Hard Luck Hittin’ which came out in 2014.
“Happy Birthday (from Wyoming)” is a folksy song consisting of catchy lyrics and a memorable tune. Interestingly, the song is about the end of a relationship, though it has a deceiving title.
It is sung from the perspective of a man who doesn’t feel the same as he used to about his partner. He is fed up with being manipulated and has decided to move on.
10. “The Old Double Diamond” By Ian Tyson
Everyone who has worked on a ranch can’t miss the modern-day classic “The Old Double Diamond.” Written by Gary McMahan, the song has been covered by many artists, including Ian Tyson.
The song is about a public auction of a ranch, the Double Diamond, in Dubois, Wyoming. In the old times, it was popular among cowboys who wanted to get their horses shod and get themselves a good meal.
The lyrics depict the changing times and the struggles of keeping ranches alive. The narrator laments the sale of the ranch, and how the new owners don’t understand the way of cowboy life.
11. “July In Cheyenne” By Aaron Watson
And finally, “July in Cheyenne” is a heartbreaking song that appeared on Aaron Watson’s album Real Good Time. It is a tribute to the cowboy Lane Frost, who died in Cheyenne in 1989.
Frost was just 25 years old when he was killed by a bull he was riding at a rodeo event. While he had finished his ride, the bull fatally injured him with a hit afterward. He had been riding regularly since he was 15.
In the lyrics, Watson is imploring his listeners to “tip your hat to the cowboy every once in a while.” He asks that people remember Frost, who died doing what he loved.
Summing Up Our List Of Wyoming Songs
We hope you liked learning a little about Wyoming and the songwriters who have chosen this state to make music about.
Whether you prefer country, folk, or pop music, there is a song here that everyone will enjoy listening to!
What other songs should we add to this list? Let us know and we’ll be glad to add them in for you!
