If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or refreshing your Spotify Lately, you’ve probably seen the chaos surrounding the cowboy lyrics Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco dropped in early 2025. It’s one of those songs that feels like it shouldn't work. On one hand, you have Selena, the queen of moody pop and vulnerability. On the other, you have this "Cowboy" track that sounds more like a late-night club anthem mixed with a Western fever dream.
Honestly, when I first heard it, I was confused. Was she going country? Is this her Cowboy Carter moment?
Not really.
"Cowboy" is actually a track from the collaborative project I Said I Love You First, released on March 21, 2025. It’s less about horses and lassos and much more about the electric, somewhat messy chemistry between Selena and Benny Blanco. It’s bold. It’s a little bit NSFW. And it’s definitely not the Disney-era Selena we used to know.
Why the Cowboy Lyrics Selena Gomez Chose Are So Divisive
The internet had a collective meltdown over the hook. Selena sings about "riding it like a cowboy," which, let's be real, is a pretty classic pop metaphor. But the way she delivers it—breathy, confident, and almost detached—reminds fans of her Fetish era.
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She's not playing a character here. She’s leaning into a persona that feels very much like an "it girl" who knows exactly what she wants.
The GloRilla Factor
What really caught people off guard was the outro. GloRilla shows up and basically takes the song from a 7 to an 11. She brings this aggressive, Memphis-rap energy that contrasts wildly with Selena’s soft vocals.
"I’ma put that... in sports mode and ride it ’til I can't no more."
That line from GloRilla? It became a meme within six hours of the song's release. People were arguing on Reddit about whether the collaboration felt "organic" or just a label-forced mashup. But if you look at the production credits, it makes sense. You’ve got Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat behind the boards. These guys don’t do "safe." They do weird.
Breaking Down the Meaning: It’s Not About Texas
A lot of people saw the title and expected a ballad about her Texas roots. Wrong.
The cowboy lyrics Selena Gomez penned (with help from Jake Torrey and Benny) are actually about power dynamics in a relationship.
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- The "Bad Girl" Persona: In the first verse, she mentions acting like the "bad girls" and putting someone on their knees. It’s a total flip of the "good girl" image she’s spent years shedding.
- The Under Water Imagery: Verse two talks about being underwater and "lips like rain." It’s very atmospheric. It’s meant to feel like a hazy summer night where nothing is quite real.
- The "Run You Out of Town" Line: This is the most "Western" the song gets. It’s a play on the trope of the cowboy who rides into town, causes trouble, and leaves. Only this time, she’s the one in control.
Basically, the song is a celebration of her relationship with Benny Blanco. Since they went public, they haven't been shy about showing their affection, and this song is essentially the musical version of a PDA-filled Instagram post.
The Production Behind the Scenes
If the song sounds "expensive" but also slightly grainy, that’s because of the engineering team. Benny Blanco, who is obviously Selena's partner in both life and music now, produced it alongside Cashmere Cat.
You can hear the influence of 2017-era pop where things were a bit more experimental. It doesn't follow the standard Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus structure. It’s more of a linear progression that builds up to GloRilla’s explosive ending.
Who wrote it?
- Selena Gomez: She has a writing credit on this one, which is important for her fans (Selenators) who value her creative input.
- Benny Blanco: Obviously.
- GloRilla (Gloria Woods): She wrote her own verse, which is why it feels so distinct from the rest of the track.
- Jake Torrey & Kiddo: These are the secret weapons of modern pop songwriting.
What This Means for Selena’s 2026 Album
As we move into 2026, "Cowboy" stands as a bridge. It’s the sound of an artist who is no longer afraid of being "too much."
There was a time when Selena was very careful about her lyrics. She was worried about being "appropriate" or staying within the lanes of what a pop princess should be. With the cowboy lyrics Selena Gomez gave us, that’s over. She’s swearing, she’s making suggestive jokes, and she’s collaborating with rappers who have a much "harder" edge than her typical features.
It’s refreshing.
Even if you don't love the song, you have to admit it's a bold move. It’s the kind of track that performs well on Google Discover because it’s polarizing. Half the people love the "indie-sleaze" vibe, and the other half are still mourning the Stars Dance era.
How to Deep Dive Into the Discography
If you’re trying to understand how she got to this point, you have to look at the progression.
First, listen to Fetish. It’s the spiritual predecessor to "Cowboy." It’s dark, weird, and slightly uncomfortable. Then, listen to Lose You To Love Me. That was her emotional purging. Once she got that out of her system, she was free to make music that was just... fun.
The I Said I Love You First album is exactly that: fun. It’s a snapshot of a woman who is in love and doesn't care if the lyrics are a little bit "cringe" or "too much" for the general public.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on these releases, here’s what you should actually do:
- Check the Songwriting Credits on BMI/ASCAP: That’s where the real titles leak first. "Cowboy" was rumored for months before it dropped because it was registered under her name and Benny’s.
- Follow the Producers: If you want to know what Selena’s next song will sound like, follow Cashmere Cat. He often posts snippets of beats that eventually end up on her albums.
- Watch the Lyric Videos: The official lyric video for "Cowboy" actually has some hidden "Easter eggs" in the background visuals that hint at her upcoming solo tour.
- Compare the Remixes: There is a GloRilla-heavy remix that changes the vibe of the song completely. It’s worth a listen if you found the original a bit too "pop."
The "Cowboy" era isn't just a trend; it's a statement. It’s Selena Gomez telling the world that she’s done playing it safe. Whether you’re here for the Western metaphors or the Memphis rap crossover, it’s clear she’s just getting started.