The song "Ride 'Em Cowboy" by Juice Newton explores the life of a rodeo cowboy and the challenges he faces as he grows older. The lyrics depict a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the cowboy's past experiences and feelings of being left out in the cold.

The cowboy reminisces about his earlier days when he was considered the best at riding young, wild horses for a living. However, he acknowledges that he has become too old for the job and can now only ride wild horses in his dreams. This symbolizes the fading of his glory days and his longing for the excitement and success he once had.

The chorus emphasizes the advice the cowboy received from others. They told him to persevere and never let the horses throw him down because hitting the ground would lead to financial struggles. It portrays the high stakes nature of his occupation and the pressure to maintain his status as the toughest cowboy in town.

The mention of a bronc named Midnight adds another layer to the cowboy's story. Midnight was the only horse the cowboy couldn't ride, but it is now blind and reduced to giving rides to children for a small fee. This reflects the cowboy's realization that even the most formidable opponents eventually decline and become insignificant.

Ultimately, the song captures the bittersweet nature of the cowboy's life. While he embraces the traveling life of a rodeo cowboy, he also acknowledges the loneliness and longing for stability. The repetition of the line "It's the only life I'll ever know" emphasizes his resignation to the fact that he is destined to remain a nomad, forever tied to the rodeo.