About The Song
“This Ain’t My First Rodeo” is a country song co-written and recorded by Vern Gosdin, released in July 1990 as the lead single from his compilation album 10 Years of Greatest Hits – Newly Recorded on Columbia Records. Gosdin wrote the song with Hank Cochran and Max D. Barnes, drawing inspiration from a real-life encounter. He shared the story in a 1990 interview, explaining that while overseeing a home renovation—an extra room over his garage—he complimented the carpenters on their quick work. One responded, “This ain’t our first rodeo.” Gosdin jotted down the phrase and later crafted the song with Cochran and Barnes, turning the idiom into a metaphor for experience in love and heartbreak.
The track peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, a modest hit during Gosdin’s later career phase. It was recorded in Nashville, with production by Bob Montgomery, featuring Gosdin’s signature emotive vocals—often called a “mourning-dove call” for their haunting quality—backed by a classic country arrangement with steel guitar and subtle harmonies. The album, released on August 31, 1990, re-recorded several of Gosdin’s hits, but “This Ain’t My First Rodeo” stood out as a new track. It also appeared on compilations like Super Hits (1993) and The Voice Box, Vol. 3 (2015), reflecting its enduring appeal.
The lyrics tell the story of a seasoned lover who sees through his partner’s excuses—like a sick mother or a lost wedding band—knowing she’s preparing to leave. Lines like “I didn’t make it all the way through school / But my mama didn’t raise any fool” highlight the narrator’s hard-earned wisdom. The phrase “this ain’t my first rodeo” became a cultural idiom, often attributed to Gosdin’s song, though a Reddit post from 2022 speculated it might trace back to the 1981 film Mommie Dearest. Regardless, Gosdin popularized it in country music circles.
The song has been covered by artists like Jamey Johnson with Lee Ann Womack in 2008 and Arne Benoni with Heidi Hauge, according to SecondHandSongs. A karaoke version by Midifine Systems was released in 2014. Its legacy extends beyond music, with fans on platforms like Spotify streaming it consistently—available on playlists since its 1990 digital release. A 2025 post on X by @popularpharm referenced the song’s title, showing its phrase still resonates culturally.
Gosdin, known as “The Voice” for his soulful delivery, drew from influences like Lefty Frizzell and the Louvin Brothers. This track, though not a chart-topper, showcases his ability to blend humor and heartache, a hallmark of his style during the neo-traditionalist wave of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. It remains a fan favorite, often praised on forums like Steve Hoffman Music for its clever lyrics and Gosdin’s timeless voice.
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Lyric
You say your mama called and you must go
She’s down in the bed and needs you so
And you don’t know if you’ll be coming home tonight or not
But, honey, ain’t your mama sick a lotLately, your head hurts every night
Could it be you wear your clothes too tight?
Since you don’t seem to hear or see a thing I say or do
Then I know there’s nothing I can do for youThis ain’t my first rodeo
This ain’t the first time this old cowboy’s been throwed
This ain’t the first I’ve seen this dog and pony show
This ain’t my first rodeoYou’re telling me you lost your wedding band
Somehow you say it slipped right off your hand
And when I asked about those boxes stacked there by the door
You say it’s just some old things you don’t wear no moreI didn’t make it all the way through school
But my mama didn’t raise any fool
I may not be the Einstein of our time
But honey, I’m not dumb and I’m not blindThis ain’t my first rodeo
This ain’t the first time this old cowboy’s been throwed
This ain’t the first I’ve seen this dog and pony show, honey
This ain’t my first rodeo