Wyoming, also known as the Cowboy State, is perfect for people who love nature and adventure. It’s where you’ll find the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, and the first national monument, Devil’s Tower. But there’s even more to discover beyond these famous spots. From the tall peaks of the Grand Tetons to the wide plains of Thunder Basin, there’s a bit of Wyoming that will capture every traveler’s heart.
Whether you’re into history or just love being outdoors, Wyoming has something for you. Its history is rich with Native American culture, the Old West, and a spirit of exploration that adds a special touch to its beautiful landscapes.
In fact, even some artists have found inspiration in Wyoming’s beauty.
In this playlist, we’ll share with you 10 songs about Wyoming.
Contents
- 10 Songs About Wyoming
- 1. “Wyoming & Me” by The Black Crowes
- 2. “Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead” by Frank Zappa
- 3. “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” by George Strait
- 4. “Song of Wyoming” by John Denver
- 5. “The Beaches of Cheyenne” by Garth Brooks
- 6. “My Sweet Wyoming Home” by Bill Staines
- 7. “Wyoming Wind” by Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band
- 8. “Leaving Wyoming” by Northcote
- 9. “What Happened in Wyoming” by Envoi
- 10. “Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming” by Chris LeDoux
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
- Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
10 Songs About Wyoming
1. “Wyoming & Me” by The Black Crowes
“Wyoming & Me” by The Black Crowes explores the intricate tapestry of emotions amid adversity, using Wyoming’s evocative imagery to convey a sense of emptiness and longing.
The lyrics reveal a challenging day, attempting to conceal a wounded heart and escape from the difficulties of life. The line “You’ve beautiful but you’ve flawed” underscores the dual nature of existence, acknowledging both strengths and imperfections.
The repeated refrain “You’ve empty, like Wyoming and me” draws a poignant connection between the vast, lonely expanses of Wyoming and the singer’s internal emptiness.
By echoing phrases such as “You’ve desperate but you’ve strong,” the song captures the paradoxical essence of the human experience, where resilience coexists with vulnerability in the shadow of Wyoming’s haunting emptiness.
2. “Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead” by Frank Zappa
“Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead” by Frank Zappa is a satirical commentary on the commercial frenzy surrounding the approaching 200th birthday of the United States.
This whimsical song pokes fun at the rampant consumerism and marketing strategies tied to the bicentennial celebration. The lyrics humorously mention Wyoming, incorporating phrases like “Poofter’s Froth, Wyoming” and references to locations such as Merwyn and Dakota.
The song takes a playful approach, using exaggerated descriptions of sending letters, packages, and a variety of quirky items, ridiculing the excessive merchandising of the event.
3. “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” by George Strait
“I Can Still Make Cheyenne” by George Strait is a poignant country song about a cowboy torn between love and his rodeo life. Released in 1996, it narrates a phone call between the cowboy and his love interest, where he promises to come home despite his prolonged absence.
However, she reveals she’s leaving him for someone else, not a rodeo man. The heartrending lyrics depict his decision to pursue Cheyenne, the prestigious rodeo, over their relationship. The poignant chorus, “If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne,” encapsulates his sacrifice for his career.
Wyoming’s imagery in the song reflects the cowboy’s journey, aiming his truck towards the Wyoming line as he heads to Cheyenne. This symbolises his commitment to the rodeo despite the heartache.
4. “Song of Wyoming” by John Denver
“Song of Wyoming” by John Denver is a heartfelt tribute to the serene beauty of the state. It encapsulates the essence of Wyoming through vivid imagery and reflective verses.
Denver’s lyrics evoke the weariness of a traveler finding peace as night falls, describing the fiery sky, the tranquil canyon, and the night birds’ melodies.
He contrasts city life with the allure of Wyoming’s natural wonders, depicting a shift from urban chaos to the calming rhythm of the river and the prairie moon. The song celebrates freedom in solitude, likening the experience to feeling like an angel waking up on the range:
“Well, I’m weary and tired, I’ve done my day’s riding
Nighttime is rolling my way
The sky’s all on fire and the light’s slowly fading
Peaceful and still ends the day
Out on the trail night birds are calling
Singing their wild melody
Down in the canyon cottonwood whispers
A Song of Wyoming for me”
5. “The Beaches of Cheyenne” by Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks’ “The Beaches of Cheyenne,” released in 1995, tells a poignant story of love and loss against Wyoming’s backdrop. Initially conceived as a cowboy-on-the-beach theme, it transformed into a somber reflection on broken promises. The lyrics speak of a rodeo rider’s demise in Cheyenne, shattering dreams and leaving a grieving wife.
The lines capture heartache and uncertainty, with references to Wyoming’s imagery, where dreams met their end. The haunting chorus reveals the woman’s nightly ritual by the beaches of Cheyenne:
“‘Cause every night she walks the beaches of Cheyenne”
These words evoke the enduring pain and longing, emphasizing the emotional impact of love lost amid the vast, untamed beauty of Wyoming’s landscape.
6. “My Sweet Wyoming Home” by Bill Staines
“My Sweet Wyoming Home” by Bill Staines is a heartfelt ode to the beauty and pull of Wyoming. The lyrics resonate with a longing for the quiet expanse of the prairie and the solace found in the state’s natural wonders.
Staines captures the essence of the open plains and the allure of home, painting vivid imagery through lines like “Watch the moon smiling in the sky” and “A peaceful wind, an old coyote’s cry.”
He juxtaposes the challenges of city life and the uncertainties of a nomadic existence with the magnetic draw of Wyoming’s familiar landscapes.
The song encapsulates a sense of yearning for a place where the heart finds its truest peace amid the simplicity and beauty of the Wyoming countryside.
7. “Wyoming Wind” by Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band
“Wyoming Wind” by Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band is a heartfelt country song that unfolds a tale of love and loss within the rugged landscapes of Wyoming.
The lyrics capture the bittersweet journey of a rodeo man and the woman who remains steadfast despite his wanderlust. The Wyoming Wind symbolizes the free spirit of the protagonist, reminiscent of the old tumbleweed.
The chorus resonates with emotion, singing, “Wyoming Wind, you’re so much like him, you’re wild and you’re free like that old tumbleweed. You’ve been everywhere, you’ve seen everything there is to see.”
The narrative takes a poignant turn as the lyrics reveal the cowboy’s tragic demise and his final wish to have his ashes scattered by the Wyoming Wind.
8. “Leaving Wyoming” by Northcote
“Leaving Wyoming” by Northcote is a heartfelt exploration of personal choices and the emotional toll of departure. The lyrics convey a poignant narrative, with the singer reflecting on their roots and the challenges of family dynamics.
The mention of Wyoming serves as a powerful metaphor for departure and change. The singer grapples with the difficulty of choosing between parents, expressing, “I didn’t want to choose between Staying with mom or dad, So I’m leaving Wyoming.” The repetition of the phrase “leaving Wyoming” in the chorus adds a sense of inevitability to the decision.
The lyrics also touch on the loneliness of the old town and the singer’s marriage to someone unknown, emphasizing the theme of disconnection.
9. “What Happened in Wyoming” by Envoi
“What Happened in Wyoming” by Envoi is a song that delves into themes of reflection, redemption, and unity. The lyrics unfold as a personal narrative, with the singer confessing sins in a diary and contemplating a year marked by apathy.
Wyoming becomes a symbolic backdrop, possibly representing a turning point or a place of significance in the singer’s story. The mention of Wyoming adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the narrative.
Lines like “At the bottom of this never-ending fight for glory” and “I wonder how they ever let this past the eyes of everybody” suggest a deeper exploration of personal struggles and societal challenges.
10. “Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming” by Chris LeDoux
“Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming” by Chris LeDoux is a heartfelt country ballad that weaves a story of a cowboy’s longing for his Wyoming home.
The lyrics convey the cowboy’s encounter with an artist painting the hardships of city life, prompting him to express his desire to be painted back to Wyoming. He reminisces about his ranch upbringing and rodeo days, contrasting them with the challenges of the city.
The poignant plea is encapsulated in lines like, “Can you paint me back home in Wyoming, Ridin’ free ‘neath the big sky above,” expressing the yearning for the open prairies and hills.
The song beautifully captures the essence of the cowboy’s nostalgia and the deep connection he feels to his Wyoming roots.
Submit Your Song to This Playlist
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Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.