Burning The Ground Exclusive
Previous post date: April 11, 2017
In 1985, British band Boys Don’t Cry delivered one of the most delightfully offbeat and unforgettable novelty hits of the decade — “I Wanna Be A Cowboy.” Equal parts synth-pop, humor, and Wild West fantasy, the track carved out a unique space on radio and dance floors alike.
Formed in 1983, Boys Don’t Cry was the brainchild of lead vocalist and keyboardist Nick Richards, who had just purchased Maison Rouge Recording Studios in London. An early lineup of the group featured Richards alongside guitarist Richard Taee and drummer Steve Creese, with additional support from session musicians.
From the moment that iconic spoken intro kicks in — “I wanna be a cowboy…” — you know you’re in for something different. The track blends playful storytelling with a catchy synth-driven groove, creating a sound that feels both quintessentially mid-80s and completely its own.
The 12″ Experience
As with many tracks featured here on Burning the Ground, the real magic happens in the 12″ format.
The extended mix takes everything that made the single memorable and stretches it into a full-on dancefloor experience. The groove is given more room to breathe, the instrumental passages are expanded, and the quirky western motifs — including whip cracks and cinematic flourishes — are emphasized to full effect.
This is where the song truly shines. What might come across as a novelty on the radio becomes something hypnotic and immersive in its extended form. DJs in the mid-80s understood this, and the track found a welcome home in clubs where its infectious rhythm and playful energy could really connect with audiences.
Chart Success & Cultural Impact
“I Wanna Be A Cowboy” became a major hit in the United States, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing even higher on the Dance Chart. Its accompanying music video — featuring a humorous Wild West storyline — received heavy rotation on MTV, helping cement its place in 80s pop culture.
Though Boys Don’t Cry would not replicate this level of success with later releases, this single remains a beloved time capsule of an era when pop music didn’t take itself too seriously — and was all the better for it.
Why It Still Works
Nearly four decades later, “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” still holds up — not just as a nostalgic novelty, but as a genuinely well-crafted pop track. Its blend of humor, melody, and production polish captures a moment in time when creativity and fun were at the forefront of the music scene.
And in its 12″ incarnation, it’s more than just a curiosity — it’s a reminder of how the extended format could transform even the most unexpected songs into something club-ready and unforgettable.
If you have this one in your collection, you already know — sometimes the most unlikely tracks end up being the most enduring.
Saddle up and enjoy.
SIDE A:
I Wanna Be A Cowboy (12″ Saddle Mix) 6:05
SIDE B:
I Wanna Be A Cowboy (Instrumental Saloon Mix) 6:05
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #12 | 1986 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales | #12 | 1986 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #44 | 1986 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | #4 | 1986 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | #1 | 1986 |
| Canada (Top Singles RPM) | #19 | 1986 |
| Belgium (Ultrapop 50 Flanders) | #24 | 1985 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | #11 | 1985 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | #77 | 1985 |
| West Germany (GfK) | #41 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Profile Records – PRO-7084
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Engineer – Chris Potter*, Tony Taverner
- Photography By – Simon Fowler (2)
- Producer – Boys Don’t Cry
- Written-By – Chatton*, Seopardie*, Richards*, Ramsden*
NOTES:
Jacket Made In Canada
Message in run-out groove, side A: This Cowboy Ride is BLAZE-“ing” HOT!!!
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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This record is hilarious! Especially the line “My Name Is Fred, and One Day I’ll Be Dead Yo Yo!” The Big Ape (WAPE) in Jacksonville, Florida always played the 12 inch version in the day, which is really swell! I didn’t even know there was a 7 inch single of this. Funny thing; I’m turning 67 years old this year! Way too old to be enjoying this crap! But, I do!
Haha, Wayne—love it! And I hate to be that guy, but the line is actually “My name is Ted…” 😀 Easy one to mishear! So great that WAPE was spinning the 12″ back in the day—that’s the best way to hear it. And hey, you’re never too old for a track like this… that’s the beauty of music like this!
Thanks Paul for being that guy! Not so much a mishear as much as a misremember! Another funny thing; I have a friend from New Zealand who is about my age who has no memory of this record! Not sure where he was when this was popular!
Great song. I remember it from its original release in 1986 (around the same time The Cure re-released “Boys Don’t Cry”) and then in 1991 it featured in the movie “The Last Boy Scout” being danced to by Halle Berry’s character.
Thanks, Tim! Great memory—that’s a fun connection. I had forgotten about its use in The Last Boy Scout. And you’re right about the timing too—interesting how it lined up with The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry” getting another moment. Glad this one brought back some memories!
Thank you Paul. Since I no longer have this 12″ in my collection and I missed the upload from 2017, I am glad for your 2026 transfer. Well done. Will download it asap because I am on vacation. Greetings to the entire BTG community.
Thank you, Toxicaudio! Glad I could bring this one back around for you—perfect timing! Hope you’re having a great vacation, and greetings right back from the BTG community!
Such a fun track! I hate to admit it, but I don’t recall ever experiencing the 12″ before now. And I mean that when I say experience! Because that is what it is! There is something almost cinematic about this 12″ mix. It really takes everything from the original and creates something a little bit bigger and better. The off kilter wackiness kind of meshes into itself and the whole thing just flows so well. The instrumental is a blast to pump up too, but it does lose a little something without the great vocals. Thanks for another unexpected treat… Read more »
Thank you, JP! I love how you described that—“cinematic” is exactly the right word for this 12″. It really does transform the track into something bigger. And I agree, the instrumental is fun, but the vocals definitely give it that extra personality. Glad you enjoyed the experience!
Indeed, thank you
You’re very welcome, Jens! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great song and remix!! thank you for posting! A great, fun song that is elevated with an excellent remix!!
Thanks so much, Greg! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. The remix really does take the fun of the original and kicks it up a notch—definitely one of those tracks that shines in the 12″ format.
I love that, on their next album, they recorded a song called The Cure. Well played, Boys Don’t Cry. Well played.
Haha, absolutely! They had a great sense of humor, and that was such a perfect wink. Little touches like that make me appreciate them even more.
Thanks Dj!
You’re welcome 🙂
This song and video were unforgettable! It was ubiquitous on the radio and MTV, and kids “singing” the lyrics at school. Like DMoody, I’m also surprised it only peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100… it felt like a No. 1 hit! The quirkiness of the song makes me think of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off… Thank you Paul! Have a fantastic weekend, you too Jeff and everyone else here!
Thanks, Retro Hound! I remember that too—this song was everywhere, and everyone seemed to know it. Funny how some tracks feel like massive No. 1s even if the charts say otherwise. Love the Ferris Bueller comparison! Have an awesome weekend!
Great write up! But is there a type-o in paragraph 2?
Great catch, ING. I have corrected the info, thanks 🙂
No problem! Your write up is fantastic. I honestly feel like your journalistic skills continue upwards !
Thank you, ING. I appreciate that. 🙂
I was surprised to see that it only reached #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 and #44 for US Dance Club Play. I was curious what it charted in other countries and to my surprise, it peaked at #1 in New Zealand, #4 in Australia. (courtesy of Wikipedia)
This makes me wonder why that is…
Thanks for bringing this one back up Paul. For me; it’s a good dance song but it’s a better cruising down the highway song whilst dancing in your seat lol
Thanks, DMoody! Yeah, those chart differences are really interesting. Sometimes a song just connects differently depending on the market—radio formats, MTV rotation, even timing can play a big role. It definitely felt bigger here than the numbers suggest. And I love that—perfect cruising song with some seat-dancing built in!
I always think it’s great whenever you decide on a re-spin, Paul! Your art-of-the-rip keeps growing in expertise and when accompanied with your new equipment, the final result is nothing short of phenomenal! This is a fun song! Too bad it was their only hit record. Sometimes for artists, lightning doesn’t strike more than once. At least we got an out-of-the-box smash! I liked it a lot because it was quirky and different! I keep on thinking of Martini Ranch’s equally fabulous “Reach” single too because it painted a picture of the wild, wild west! Thank you, Paul, for the… Read more »
Thank you so much, Jeff! That really means a lot—I’m always trying to improve the “art of the rip,” so I appreciate you noticing. This one was definitely a fun revisit. And great call on Martini Ranch—“Reach” has that same cinematic western vibe! Thanks as always for your support and kind words about the fundraiser. Have a fantastic weekend!
One of the epic 80s one hit wonder songs. Looking at my collection of music I only have this song from them and I don’t have this remix. So thank you for another gem!
Thanks Paul!
Thanks, Mikey-D! That’s exactly why I love digging these up—so many great mixes never made it into most collections. Happy to share this one with you!