Episode 4350 -- Pictured: Musical guest Toby Keith performs on November 12, 2012 --

About the Song

Toby Keith is known for his raw, authentic style of country music, and “Rodeo Moon” is a prime example of his talent. Released in 2002 as part of the album Unleashed, the song offers a glimpse into the rugged, romantic life of a rodeo cowboy.

With its driving rhythm and Keith’s signature gravelly vocals, “Rodeo Moon” captures the excitement and uncertainty of life on the rodeo circuit. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple on the road, chasing dreams and each other. The “rodeo moon” becomes a symbol of their shared adventure, a constant companion as they navigate the ups and downs of their nomadic lifestyle.

Keith’s songwriting in “Rodeo Moon” is both gritty and tender. He captures the physical demands of the rodeo while also conveying the deep emotional connection between the couple. The song strikes a balance between the excitement of the rodeo life and the longing for stability and love.

“Rodeo Moon” is more than just a song about cowboys and cowgirls; it’s a celebration of the American spirit of independence and resilience. It’s a reminder that love can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.Monterey Agent Steve Dahl, Gil Cunningham Neste Event Marketing, Singer/Songwriter Toby Keith, Troy Vollhoffer Country Thunder Promoter and Brian...

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Lyrics: Rodeo Moon

I took her daddy’s old two-horse trailer
I patched a place in the floor that was bare
And we loaded up her barrel pony
And a riggin’ bag is all that I had
Left with our suitcases filled with desire
Four hundred dollars, two good spare tiresNow our windshield’s a painting that hangs in our room
It changes with each mile like a radio tune
We got up above, we’ll make it on love
Under the rodeo moonSometimes we sleep in a hotel
When we’re ridin’ that hot hand of luck
Sometimes we crash at a friend’s house
Sometimes we just sleep in the truck
Nighttime you’ll find us out in the fast lane
Stayin’ one step ahead of snow, wind, and rainNow our windshield’s a painting that hangs in our room
It changes with each mile like a radio tune
We got up above, we’ll make it on love
Under the rodeo moon

Yeah, we left with our suitcases filled with desire
Four hundred dollars and two good spare tires

Now our windshield’s a painting that hangs in our room
It changes with each mile like a radio tune
We got up above, we’ll make it on love
Under the rodeo moon

You Missed

Billy Joe Shaver first caught Waylon Jennings’ eye at Willie Nelson’s Dripping Springs Reunion back in 1972 while passing a guitar around backstage and picking “Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me.” Waylon immediately stopped in his tracks, learned the chords on the spot, and promised to record the material. Instead of a quick cut, Shaver found himself stuck in Nashville for six months trying to collect on that promise while dealing with empty pockets and a songwriter dodging his calls. A sympathetic DJ eventually smuggled him right into one of Waylon’s studio dates. Still trying to brush him off, Waylon handed over a hundred-dollar bill with strict instructions to clear out. Shaver was broke enough to desperately need the cash, yet his pride won out. He fired the money right back with a harsh insult, prompting a furious Waylon to storm out into the hallway surrounded by a crowd. Shaver stood his ground and told him straight: listen to the songs, or catch a beating right there in front of God and everybody. Waylon finally sat down and listened. One track led to another until Jennings scrapped his own plans and built an entire record around Shaver’s writing. Released in 1973, Honky Tonk Heroes packed nine of Billy Joe’s compositions and turned into a crown jewel of the outlaw movement. The recording room stayed just as volatile, with Shaver loudly arguing over arrangement choices and accusing Waylon of altering his vision. Yet that exact friction gave the record its teeth. Waylon had just fought RCA for total creative freedom, and Billy Joe Shaver proved stubborn enough to demand that exact same respect for the words on the page.