A haunting melody that echoes the relentless pursuit of a fleeting moment of glory.
There are certain songs that, the moment you hear the first few notes, transport you back to a different time and place. For many, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell’s rendition of “Bull Rider” is one of those songs. It’s not just a song; it’s a mood, a feeling, a snapshot of a bygone era. While the song is now a staple of their collaborative live performances and appears on their acclaimed 2013 album, Old Yellow Moon, its roots run much deeper, like the worn leather of an old saddle.
“Bull Rider” was originally written by Rodney Crowell and first recorded by his then-father-in-law, the one and only Johnny Cash, for his 1979 album Silver. As a single, Cash’s version charted at a respectable No. 66 on the U.S. Country charts in 1980. Crowell, a prolific songwriter whose works have been covered by a veritable who’s who of country music royalty, penned the song drawing from his own life in Texas, where, as he once noted, “we rode bulls the way inner city kids played basketball.” It was simply part of the culture. This lived experience infuses the lyrics with a raw authenticity that a songwriter from a different background could never fully capture. The song’s story is a simple one, yet it carries the weight of a lifetime of struggle and triumph. It’s an intimate look into the mind of a bull rider, a man who lives for that brief, eight-second dance with fate. He’s a man who understands that in this world, there are no fools, only those who are willing to risk everything for a moment of glory, and those who stand on the sidelines.
The genius of Crowell’s writing lies in his use of metaphor. He compares the seemingly chaotic, yet meticulously timed, struggle between man and beast to a “hurricane dancing with a kite.” What a perfect, poignant image. It’s a fleeting moment of beautiful, brutal grace that, for those of us listening, is over far too quickly. The lyrics also speak to the bull rider’s personal life, a lonely existence fueled by risk and a yearning for a love that understands his relentless passion. The song is a testament to the bull rider’s singular purpose, his unwavering focus on the here and now, with no thought for the past or future.
But what truly makes the Harris-Crowell version of “Bull Rider” so special is the synergy between the two artists. They have a shared history that began in the 1970s when Harris was forming her legendary Hot Band, and Crowell was a young, promising songwriter she had discovered. Their friendship and musical partnership have spanned decades, and this long-standing rapport is palpable in every note they sing together. They’re not just two voices; they’re two old friends whose harmonies intertwine with a shared history, making the song feel like a conversation between two people who have seen it all. Emmylou’s voice, with its ethereal beauty and a subtle hint of sorrow, adds a layer of depth and pathos to Crowell’s straightforward delivery, making the song a richer, more emotional experience. Their version feels like a fond look back, a nostalgic reflection on the kind of grit and determination that defined a generation. It’s a song for anyone who has ever chased a dream, knowing full well the risks involved but unwilling to give up. The lyrics are a reminder that sometimes, the greatest victories aren’t measured in trophies or accolades, but in the courage to just “get on him in the first place.”
The song’s enduring appeal lies in this very human story. It reminds us of a time when courage was a quiet, internal thing, when a person’s word and their resolve were their most prized possessions. It’s a song for the dreamers, the daredevils, and the romantics who believe that a life lived without passion is no life at all. The Harris-Crowell collaboration brings this story to a new generation, while for older listeners, it’s a comforting, familiar sound, like an old friend coming home.