Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Top-charting Songs from the ‘Urban Cowboy’ Soundtrack

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Movies hitting big time have played a major role in the promotion of new songs through their soundtracks. However, for the 1978 “Urban Cowboy” film, it was a completely different story.

The “Urban Cowboy” Impact

“Urban Cowboy,” upon its release as a film, did not get much attention like any other blockbuster films back then. Instead, its soundtrack gained much attention. This produced three number one hits, a number four hit, and four more songs made it to the top 40 charts.

The impact of the ‘Urban Cowboy’ soundtrack was not just felt on the charts, but it contributed to the overall landscape of country music. It’s packed with melodic tunes that were accompanied by some soft rock leanings which introduced a completely new variety of country music.

Irvin Azoof, one of the film’s producer, saw how large the impact the songs has brought to the people and even saw it as something that could totally change the fashion statement and the things people do back in the day. He also acknowledges that the movie was great, but it could be said to be a compilation of hit songs than a movie.

Let us look at some of the top-charting songs from the ‘Urban Cowboy’ soundtrack.

10. Joe Walsh, ‘All Night Long

Even with Azoof’s desire to just feature The Eagles in the movie’s soundtracks, it would be hard for them not to recognize great songs from other great artists. Joe Walsh was one of them and his single “All Night Long” charted as a number 20 hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudeYhMAux4

9. Charlie Daniels Band, ‘Falling in Love For Tonight’

Featuring a cheerful twist feel to the song, the Charlie Daniels Band has given life to the dance floor scenes of the movie extending to the households.

8. Kenny Rogers, ‘Love the World Away’ 

Thanks to the help of his “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack, Kenny Rogers attained a much greater commercial success than what he has reached prior to the movie. Rogers’ soundtrack presented a throwback to Glen Campbell’s “Love the World Away,” a ‘70s ballad.

7. Boz Scaggs, ‘Look What You’ve Done to Me’

Reports say that Box Scaggs, together with songwriter David Foster, was asked to write a song that would fit Madolyn Smith’s character, Pam. The song had to be a seductive love song, which they were able to do and in an excellent way making it to the top of the adult contemporary charts. 

6. Linda Ronstadt and J,D, Souther, ‘Heart Against Wind

Tears would definitely be falling from your eyes with the heartfelt duet of Linda Ronstadt and Souther. The perfect sparse ending surely brought the song to a whole new level.

5. The Eagles, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ 

Even prior to the release of the movie, this song has already made it to the top 10 of the country charts. With the easy-going theme, it added much more flare to the 1978 ‘Urban Cowboy’ soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q7kAVk66m4

4. Mickey Gilley, ‘Stand by Me

Originally known as a Ben E King song, Gilley added some flare for country unto the song. 

3. Bonnie Raitt, ‘Don’t Make Ya Wanna Dance

With his high-profile pedal steel and fiddle-driven songs, this makes Raitt a beat fit for the overall theme brought by the “Urban Cowboys.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZvJkpuuZc

2. Jimmy Buffett, ‘Hello Texas

A dust-kicking country rock song and highlighting a place close to every Cowboy’s heart, “Hello Texas” was a completely perfect introductory song for “Urban Cowboy”

1.John Lee, ‘Lookin For Love

A life story that was turned into a story, ‘Looking for Love’ was a complete hit for Lee.

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...