Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song a B grade, saying that the song "might be an amoebic form of the country lifestyle anthems that have flooded the genre in the years since it was released." He added that it is "certainly subtler and more refined than what’s come out since, and McGraw’s hit doesn’t include the head-pounding loudness that sinks so many other 'country' anthems."[2]
Music video
The music video was directed by Sherman Halsey and was released in early 2002.
Commercial performance
"The Cowboy in Me" debuted at number 48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the chart week of December 1, 2001. It reached a peak of number one on the chart dated March 16, 2002, remaining there for one week and dethroning Jo Dee Messina's "Bring On the Rain", on which McGraw is a featured artist. This was the first time that an artist replaced themselves at the top based on country radio play, and would not happen again until July 2024 when Morgan Wallen reached number one back-to-back with the singles "I Had Some Help" and "Cowgirls".[3]
