Cowboy Casanova

"Cowboy Casanova"
Song

"Cowboy Casanova" is the title of a song written by Brett James, Mike Elizondo, and co-written and recorded by American country artist Carrie Underwood. It was officially released on September 14, 2009, and it serves as the lead-off single to her third studio album, Play On, which is slated for a November release via Arista Nashville. She performed "Cowboy Casanova" live on September 17, 2009 after her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame at Muskogee Civic Center, and is scheduled to perform the song at the Grand Ole Opry on October 2, 2009.

Content

"Cowboy Casanova" is an up-tempo country song. In the song, a female narrator warns another that the man she is interested in is no good; he is just a "cowboy casanova".

He's a good time cowboy casanova,

Leanin' up against the record machine

He looks like a cool drink of water,

But he's candy-coated misery

He's the devil in disguise, a snake with blue eyes

And he only comes out at night

Gives you feelings that you don't wanna fight,

You better run for your life

An unfinished version of the song leaked online on September 2, 2009 after receiving airplay from a Seattle radio station. The label then rush-released the official version to Carrie Underwood's YouTube channel on September 3, 2009.

Reception

The song has been met with generally favorable reviews. Billboard reviewed the song favorably, stating that it "gives [Underwood] the chance to display the sassy side of her musical persona, which made previous hit "Before He Cheats" such an impact record. Blessed with a versatile set of pipes that make the best of any tune, Underwood shines on this steamy upbeat number". Matt Bjorke of Roughstock also gave a favorable review, saying, "Although the song borrows familiar melodic themes, the production is sparkling; Carrie sings the verses with rapid-fire precision and the hook is just infectious. This may very well be my favorite Carrie Underwood single yet." The 9513 critic Jim Malec gave it a thumbs-down review, describing Underwood's voice as "lucid" and "commanding" in comparison to her vocal performances on Carnival Ride, but calling the song's subject matter "dead weight." Kevin Coyne of Country Universe said that on “Cowboy Casanova”, Underwood makes a strong attempt but doesn’t quite pull it off. We’re left with just a decent single that doesn’t feel quite country enough or quite pop enough to make it a keeper, therefore giving her a grade of B-.

"Cowboy Casanova" has become the fastest-climbing single of Underwood's career; it is also the fastest-climbing single of 2009 in the country music genre.

Music video

A music video was filmed on September 2, 2009, at an undisclosed location; it is scheduled to premiere during CMT's Big New Music Weekend.

Controversy

"Cowboy Casanova" has erupted controversy over its striking similarities to the song "Bang" by unsigned country artist, Brittany McDonald. McDonald had met with one of the co-writers of Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" who had reportedly listened to "Bang" and "loved it".

Chart performance

"Cowboy Casanova" debuted at #26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of September 19, 2009. The song made its debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #96 two weeks later.

Chart (2009)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs	11
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	96
Canadian Radio & Records Country Singles	14

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
North America	September 14, 2009	Airplay	Arista Nashville
France	September 21, 2009	Digital download	Sony Music / Arista Nashville
United States	September 22, 2009	Digital download	Arista Nashville
Canada			Sony Music
Germany	September 25, 2009
Italy
United Kingdom	September 27, 2009