Music Monday: The Soundtrack from Urban Cowboy

family, music 2 Minutes

We decided to catch up on some old classic movies this past week (well, classic to me).

We watched Ace Ventura (still funny after all these years), Chinatown (Jack Nicholson is great), and Urban Cowboy.

What a roll John Travolta was on in the late 70s, early 80s. First, there was Saturday Night Fever, which got the whole country hooked on disco music. Then there was Grease, which made  everyone long for the 50s. And Travolta wrapped it up in 1980 with Urban Cowboy, which got everyone into country music and wanting to go to Gilley’s.

Has any actor had that much impact on such a wide range of pop culture?

I loved each of those three Travolta movies, and have seen each one numerous times. But when I saw that Urban Cowboy was on Netflix this month, I knew it was time to watch it again. At this point, I know the story by heart, and many of the lines. So this time I was able to focus more on the music, and realize how many great songs are in the movie.

Here’s the complete list of songs and artists, followed by videos of a couple of my favorite tracks:

Side A:

  1. “Hello Texas” – Jimmy Buffett
  2. “All Night Long” – Joe Walsh
  3. “Times Like These” – Dan Fogelberg
  4. “Nine Tonight” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Side B:

  1. “Stand By Me” – Mickey Gilley
  2. “Cherokee Fiddle” – Johnny Lee
  3. “Could I Have This Dance” – Anne Murray
  4. “Lyin’ Eyes” – Eagles

Side C:

  1. “Lookin’ for Love” – Johnny Lee
  2. “Don’t it Make Ya Wanna Dance” – Bonnie Raitt
  3. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” – Charlie Daniels Band
  4. “Here Comes the Hurt Again” – Mickey Gilley
  5. “Orange Blossom Special” / “Hoedown” – Gilley’s “Urban Cowboy” Band

Side D:

  1. “Love the World Away” – Kenny Rogers
  2. “Falling in Love for the Night” – Charlie Daniels Band
  3. “Darlin'” – Bonnie Raitt
  4. “Look What You’ve Done to Me” – Boz Scaggs
  5. “Hearts Against the Wind” – Linda Ronstadt with J. D. Souther

It’s hard to narrow down such a list to just two or three songs, but I’ll do my best.

And one song that was in the movie but is not on the official soundtrack album:

OK, so I failed. I couldn’t stop at two or three songs. And I could keep going.

It’s no surprise that I enjoyed the movie so much with music like this.

Plus it’s got John Travolta and Debra Winger, what more could you ask for…

If you’ve never seen it, here’s the trailer:

*image from Rolling Stone

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

Published

74 thoughts on “Music Monday: The Soundtrack from Urban Cowboy”

  2. I have watched the other John Travolta movies you mentioned but I realize, I have never seen Urban Cowboy!!! How could that be???? I’m going to have to watch it!!! As for the songs!! I love many of them, but Anne Murray and Eagles are tops in my book!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Speaking of John Travolta, he is my father’s favorite. When he told me back when I was a kid I thought he invented the name, imagine my surprise when I saw Grease and Saturday Night Fever… I was like, “He’s real?!” 😳 😂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. I didn’t see the movie but love ones that have as much good music as Urban Cowboy. Good tunes add so much to a movie. I wonder how a song that appears in the movie is not on the official soundtrack. Maybe legal issues, and it depends on the definition of “official” I suppose.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I wonder what it would be to look that good in a pair of jeans. Unfortunately, I’ll never know. I’d give the movie pretty high marks. This is a good soundtrack (love the Boz Scaggs song), but my preferred music soundtrack for a Travolta movie is Staying Alive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. This is a classic film, and though now a bit dated, its story still captures the heart. It has been forever since I have watched this movie, and although I am not the biggest Travolta fan, this is worth watching again! It is amazing the impact that movie scores can have on popular culture! Well written, Jim!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Omg I have to see this movie! I may like the “Stand by me” with Ben E King better, but that version wasn’t all that bad!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It was tough leaving off the Eagles, one of my favorite bands as well. Peaceful Easy Feeling is among my top three favorite songs of all time, by any group. It’s the first song on my playlist…

      Like

      Reply

      1. He didn’t exactly give his opinion but I think he did not seem to like it because it stereotypes country music and moved it away from what it was. I personally did enjoy the movie. It also seems extremely influential so I’m guessing a lot of people liked it.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yeah I thought so too and honestly I think there are lots of different sub genres in country so it’s still technically country- I think the music in the movie is called countrypolitan if I remember correctly.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Oh it’s when cosmopolitan people who have little to do with cowboys would act like cowboys on the weekend at the club for fun and pretend to be southern like John Travolta’s character in the movie. The music that was produced during the year this movie was realised and the next few years was for people like that to play at their “country clubs” which is why it’s called Countrypolitan

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Surprisingly, I don’t think I saw Staying Alive, or if I did, it didn’t make too much of an impression. maybe I need to watch it (again). Jersey Strong! I assume you are a Springsteen fan as well…

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Look What You’ve Done To Me – Clearly on my list of music to make love to. I’m going to enjoy your blog Jim. Nice meeting you last evening! Doug Fine

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Jim fantastic movie watch it…classic 💖 Springsteen yes aka IN LOVE WITH A JERSEY GIRL 🤗 Bon Jovi too….jersey strong jersey pride 💪 no one does it quite like jersey 🤣🤣
    South jersey 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Jim your my neighbor 💖 cross the bridge to jersey and your at my door 💖 actually my family my grandmother was one of the original owners of Dibruno brothers now my cousins own it . If your from the beautiful streets of Philly you ninth street and chestnut etc…😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. I worked there a summer or 2 for a few days here and there with my grandmother back in the 80s never know jim may run into me sometime…never can resist dibruno cheese 😉 I will be back to see my cousins once the world goes back to normal 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment