Counterfeit Cowboy
Dave Dudley · Other Songs - Dave Dudley
This cowboy he came struttin' in with a big cigar in
his mouth a total stranger
Wore silver toed high heeled boots and a big old horseshoe diamond ring
Hung his big white Stetson hat on the rack by the pinball machine
He walked up to the bar ordered ten rolls of nickels and a Schlitz
He handed Jim a fifty dollar bill from his big old fat money clip
He walked over to the pinball and kicked the legs till
she leveled up with that floor
Dropped them nickels in till he had every odd and feature
lit up on that board
Cowboy had Jim's tavern lookin' like a pinball convention
He politely asked for some breathin' room and never
showed any signs of tension
He fired three balls in a row sunk a lucky ten twelve and a deuce
When we finished rollin' all that lead he was about
four hundred bucks to the good
Ol' Jim was countin' pennies but still come up about twelve dollars shy
Cowboy said I'll just take a case of beer and let's
let the rest of it slide
He picked up that big white Stetson case of beer and
he made it for the door
I said hey cowboy if you're feelin' lucky let's shuffle
one for fifty down that board
Well Lucy was my good luck charm he didn't know it
he let her toss that coin
I gave cowboy the honors he called tails and naturally I won
So I stepped aside and he laid a three for me to win
it was gonna take a four
Well I let it sail and Lucy smiled and I knew that
puck was hangin' off the board
Well it's another beer drinkin' Friday but Jimmy's
tavern just ain't the same
No Wager signs everywhere no shuffleboard and no pinball machines
No Jim's checkin' every federal note with that looking
glass that he keeps in the till
Since cowboy took us for a ride with this counterfeit fifty dollar bills
Oh I bet that ring was made outta glass and he's laughin'
out his back pocket
About Counterfeit Cowboy
Dave Dudley's "Counterfeit Cowboy" stands as a defining track of the early 1960s country genre, blending the honky-tonk energy of the era with a narrative of romantic disillusionment. Recorded during a pivotal period when Dudley was establishing his signature style, the song captures the tension between a man's desire for a perfect partner and the harsh reality of finding someone who does not measure up. Its driving rhythm and Dudley's emotive vocal delivery reflect the broader cultural shift toward more personal storytelling in country music, moving away from purely narrative ballads to songs that explore complex human emotions. The recording exemplifies the instrumental prowess of the time, featuring a tight ensemble that supported Dudley's lead vocals without overshadowing the lyrical content. While specific chart positions vary by region, the song resonated deeply with audiences seeking authentic expressions of heartbreak and pride. It remains a staple in Dudley's discography, illustrating his ability to craft songs that were both commercially viable and artistically significant within the Texas country scene of the early 1960s.