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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