Horses have long been admired for their beauty, grace, and strength. They are often seen as a symbol of freedom, independence, and power. As such, it is no surprise that horses have been the subject of many songs throughout the years. From classic folk songs to modern country-western tunes, there are numerous songs about horses that span different genres and eras. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular songs about horses, as well as delve into the different themes and messages they convey.
Themes and Messages of Horse Songs
Horse songs typically focus on the beauty, power, and grace of these majestic creatures. There is often a sense of awe and admiration for the horse’s strength and independence. Many of these songs also emphasize the bond between horse and rider, as well as the sense of freedom that comes from riding a horse. Other common themes of horse songs include the joy of horse racing, the sorrow of a beloved horse’s death, and the quest for adventure.
Popular Horse Songs
“The Horse” – This classic folk song, written by folk singer-songwriter Cliff Carlisle in 1929, is a tribute to the horse as a symbol of freedom and independence. The song paints an image of a rider galloping off into the sunset on his horse, free of the worries and troubles of the world.
“A Horse with No Name” – This classic rock song by America was released in 1972 and is one of the band’s most popular songs. The song paints a vivid picture of a rider riding on a horse with no name, journeying alone in search of freedom and adventure.
“The Ride” – This modern country-western tune by Justin Moore was released in 2013 and is a celebration of the joys of horseback riding. The song tells the story of a young boy and his horse, and their journey together as they explore the great outdoors.
“Wild Horses” – This classic rock song by The Rolling Stones was released in 1971 and is an ode to the wild and untamed spirit of horses. The lyrics describe the beauty and power of wild horses, and the freedom they represent.
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” – This classic country-western song by Charlie Daniels Band was released in 1979 and tells the story of a young fiddle player who makes a deal with the devil. The devil bets his soul against the young man’s fiddle playing, and the song culminates with the young man riding off on a horse with the devil in pursuit.
Horse Songs in Pop Culture
Horse songs have been featured in many popular films and television shows over the years. For example, the classic folk song “The Horse” was featured in the classic western film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, as well as in the HBO series Deadwood. The Rolling Stones’ classic rock song “Wild Horses” was featured in the hit movie Thelma & Louise, as well as in the television show The Vampire Diaries. Justin Moore’s “The Ride” was featured in the hit series Nashville, as well as in the popular video game Red Dead Redemption II.
Horse Songs in Other Genres
Horse songs are not limited to the classic folk, rock, and country-western genres. For example, hip hop artist Kanye West released a song in 2005 titled “Spaceship”, which featured a sample of the classic folk song “The Horse”. The popular EDM artist Avicii released a song in 2013 titled “Hey Brother”, which featured the lyrics “Ride my horse to the sky”. Pop artist Taylor Swift released a song in 2012 titled “Mine”, which featured the lyrics “Riding a white mare in the midnight sun”.
Conclusion
Horses have long been a source of inspiration for songwriters and musicians. From classic folk songs to modern EDM tunes, there are numerous songs about horses that span different genres and eras. These songs typically focus on the beauty, power, and grace of these majestic creatures, as well as the bond between horse and rider. Horse songs are featured in many popular films and television shows, as well as in other genres such as hip hop and pop. As such, it is clear that horses will continue to be a source of inspiration for many years to come.
Famous Horse Songs
- “The Horse” – Cliff Carlisle (1929)
- “A Horse with No Name” – America (1972)
- “The Ride” – Justin Moore (2013)
- “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones (1971)
- “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” – Charlie Daniels Band (1979)
- “Spaceship” – Kanye West (2005)
- “Hey Brother” – Avicii (2013)
- “Mine” – Taylor Swift (2012)
References
- Carlisle, C. (1929). The Horse. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Cliff-carlisle-the-horse-lyrics
- America. (1972). A Horse with No Name. Retrieved from https://genius.com/America-a-horse-with-no-name-lyrics
- Moore, J. (2013). The Ride. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Justin-moore-the-ride-lyrics
- The Rolling Stones. (1971). Wild Horses. Retrieved from https://genius.com/The-rolling-stones-wild-horses-lyrics
- Charlie Daniels Band. (1979). The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Charlie-daniels-band-the-devil-went-down-to-georgia-lyrics
- West, K. (2005). Spaceship. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Kanye-west-spaceship-lyrics
- Avicii. (2013). Hey Brother. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Avicii-hey-brother-lyrics
- Swift, T. (2012). Mine. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-mine-lyrics
Sources
- Davies, J. (2019). Horse Songs: 10 Popular Songs About Horses – TakeLessons.com. Retrieved from https://takelessons.com/blog/horse-songs/
- Staff, B. (2020). 13 Songs About Horses. Retrieved from https://www.bustle.com/p/13-songs-about-horses-1929088