Cowboy Casanova

"Cowboy Casanova"
Single by Carrie Underwood
from the album Play On
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2009 (2009-09-14)
GenreCountry rock[1]
Length
  • 3:56 (album version)
  • 3:41 (radio edit)
LabelArista Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Bright
Carrie Underwood singles chronology
"Home Sweet Home"
(2009) 		"Cowboy Casanova"
(2009) 		"Temporary Home"
(2009)
Music video
"Cowboy Casanova" at CMT.com

"Cowboy Casanova" is a song by American singer Carrie Underwood. It was written by Underwood, Mike Elizondo, Brett James. It was released on September 14, 2009, by Arista Nashville as the lead single from her third studio album, Play On. The song sold 2,300,000 copies, making it the fourth-biggest single of her career behind "Jesus, Take the Wheel", "Before He Cheats", and "Blown Away".[3]

The song received positive reviews from critics and became the fastest climbing country single of 2009. It also became Underwood's eighth number one country single in the United States. The single was certified 2xPlatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background

After the end of her "Carnival Ride Tour", in February 2009, Underwood began writing songs for her new album Play On. She collaborated with a number of producers which included Brett James, one of the three co-writers of her hit single "Jesus, Take the Wheel",[4] and Mike Elizondo, who had collaborated with Eminem and Dr. Dre. Elizondo came up with the main melody of the song, to which James and Underwood set the lyrics.[4] James then suggested the title "Cowboy Casanova" off a list of potential titles that he had, and the lyrics talk about a male character who is a "devil in disguise." In an interview with CMT Underwood said,

"I think to every woman, this song would be telling a story about someone they know or met or has tried to pick them up in a bar".[5] "We're not trashing this guy, we're just warning these other girls about him."[4]

An unfinished version of the song leaked online on September 2, 2009 after receiving airplay from KMPS-FM in Seattle. The label then rush-released the official version to Underwood's YouTube channel on September 3, 2009.[6] It was officially made available for download on September 14, 2009.

Composition

"Cowboy Casanova" is a moderately paced country song. It incorporates elements of rock-inspired guitar riffs and background gang vocals in the introduction and verses, and also the violin and banjo-esque qualities which travel into the refrain. The song is composed in D minor, set in common time with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[1] Underwood's vocals span from A3 to D5.[1]

Critical 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".[7] 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."[8] 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−.[9]

Commercial reception

"Cowboy Casanova" was released on September 14, 2009 for digital download. The song logged a first week sales of 110,236 copies in downloads. The song also made Underwood the only solo country artist in 2009 to debut a digital single above the 100,000.[10] The song also became the fastest climbing single in Underwood's career and also the fastest-climbing single of 2009 in the country music genre.[11] Additionally, the song gave Underwood the most Top 10 hits on the country chart this decade - 10 top 10 singles followed by Faith Hill and Martina McBride each with nine.[12]

As of October 2015, 2,300,000 copies of "Cowboy Casanova" were sold in the US.[3] It has been certified 2× Platinum, being Underwood's fourth single to do so.[13]

Music video

The music video was filmed on September 2, 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana.[14] It premiered during CMT's Big New Music Weekend on October 2, 2009.[15]

The video was directed by Theresa Wingert and it features Underwood and an entourage of attractive female dancers all wearing flapper party gowns. She warns the video's audience, as well as her entourage, about smooth-talking attractive men and their true intentions. An attractive man sporting a fancy outfit that consists of an overcoat and a fedora gazes at the scene with interest. The man, a good representation of the song's topic, seemingly has designs on Underwood and as the video progresses the dancers become dressed in revealing clothing, consisting of garters and corsets. Eventually, Underwood, along with her empowered entourage, has a showdown with the man in a back alley and defiantly spurns his advances, leading him to give up and walk away. The video also became Underwood's first choreographed video.[16]

Awards and nominations

45th Academy of Country Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Cowboy Casanova" Song of the Year[17] Nominated

CMT Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[18] Video of the Year Won
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[18] Female Video of the Year Nominated

1st American Country Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[19] Female Music Video of the Year Won
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[19] Female Single of the Year Won

French Country Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[20] Music Video of the Year Won

2010 CMA Triple-Play Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Cowboy Casanova"[21] Triple-Play Songwriter (along with "Temporary Home", "Undo It") Won

Chart performance

"Cowboy Casanova" debuted at number 26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of September 19, 2009 and reached the number one spot in its tenth week, becoming Underwood's eighth number one on that chart and also her fastest climbing song at that time. "Cowboy Casanova" was also marked as Underwood's fastest climbing song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, climbing to number 11 only one week after its official release.[22] The song made its debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 96, making a jump to number 11 in its second week, becoming her sixth top 20 Hot 100 hit.

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b c "Digital Sheet Music - Carrie Underwood Cowboy Casanova". Alfred Publishing Company. October 14, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  2. ^ "Listing for "Cowboy Casanova"". Broadcast Music Incorporated. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (October 11, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Chart Beat's 'Piano Man' Returns!". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Horner, Marianne (December 21, 2009). "Sassy Groove = Smokin' Hit". Country Weekly. 16 (45): 22. ISSN 1074-3235.
  5. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (November 3, 2009). "Carrie Underwood Says 'Every Woman' Has Met A Cowboy Casanova". MTV. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  6. ^ Herrera, Monica (September 3, 2009). "Carrie Underwood Rushes New Single 'Cowboy Casanova' After Unauthorized Leak". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  7. ^ "Carrie Underwood, "Cowboy Casanova" Billboard.com". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  8. ^ "Roughstock Blog: Carrie Underwood - "Cowboy Casanova"". Roughstock.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  9. ^ "Country Universe – A Country Music Blog » Carrie Underwood, "Cowboy Casanova"". Countryuniverse.net. September 6, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  10. ^ "Carrie's "Cowboy Casanova" Digital Single Explodes with First-Week Sales of More than 110,000!". Carrieunderwood.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  11. ^ "Carrie Has the Hottest Country Hit of the Year as the Digital Single for "Cowboy Casanova" Releases Today!". Carrieunderwood.fm. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  12. ^ "Chart Beat Wednesday: Jay Sean, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood - Chart Beat". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  13. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - February 24, 2013". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  14. ^ "Carrie Underwood : Cowboy Casanova Video · Country Music Video · ACountry · Just Like Being There". Acountry.cm. October 3, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  15. ^ "CMT : News : Nine Major Videos to Premiere During CMT Big New Music Weekend". CMT.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  16. ^ "NashvilleGab - Nashville news and country music gossip: Carrie and her choreographer give us a video for Cowboy Casanova". Nashvillegab.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  17. ^ "Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood Lead ACM Nominees; Billy Joe Shaver Trial Date Set Engine 145". Engine145.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  18. ^ a b "2010 CMT Music Awards". CMT. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (December 6, 2010). "Carrie Underwood racks up at first American Country Awards". USA Today. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  20. ^ "French Country Music Awards Winners announced". The Boot. America Online. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  21. ^ "CMA Triple Play Awards 2010". BMI. October 16, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  22. ^ "Carrie Underwood - Cowboy Casanova - Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  23. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  25. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Best of 2009: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  29. ^ "Canadian digital certifications – Carrie Underwood – Cowboy Casanova". Music Canada.
  30. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - October 14, 2010". RIAA.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.