"Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other" is a 1981 song by Latin country musician Ned Sublette featuring a "lilting West Texas waltz",[1] widely known as the "gay cowboy song".[2] The song satirizes stereotypes associated with cowboys and gay men, with lyrics relating western wear to leather subculture: "What did you think all them saddles and boots was about?"
Following Sublette's recording on the 1982 GPS release Life is a Killer, the song was covered by the Canadian alternative country band Lost Dakotas on the 1993 Cargo release Sun Machine, and the queercore band Pansy Division on the 1995 album Pile Up.
The 2006 cover by country musician Willie Nelson was the first gay-themed mainstream country song by a major artist.[3] Orville Peck collaborated with Nelson for a 2024 duet version.[4][5]
- ^ Cohen, Howard (5 March 2006). E&p_text_date-0=before%2005/04/2012&xcal_useweights=no "Fond memories ride in on the 'Brokeback' craze", Miami Herald. (subscription required) Miami Herald Media Co. Retrieved 7 March 2006.
- ^ Tyranny, "Blue" Gene. "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly/ in 'Life is a Killer'", AllMusic. Life is a Killer. Rovi Corp. Retrieved 11 October 2006.
- ^ Tarradell, Mario (14 February 2006)."Willie opens closet with 'Cowboys'". Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2006.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link), The Dallas Morning News. The Dallas Morning News, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2006. - ^ Havens, Lyndsey (1 April 2024). "Orville Peck Signs With Warner Records, Announces Willie Nelson Collaboration". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (5 April 2024). "Willie Nelson Thinks Queer Message in Orville Peck Video Is 'More Important Than Ever'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 April 2024.