"I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande) is a 1936 comic song written by Johnny Mercer for the Paramount western Rhythm on the Range. It was performed by Bing Crosby with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra and released as a Decca single in 1936. The lyrics spoof a 20th century cowboy who rides cars and uses modern conveniences, a reflection of Mercer's Hollywood experiences. The tune was a big hit, reaching number 2 on the charts and helping Mercer’s career, and Crosby later re-recorded it for the 1954 album Bing: A Musical Autobiography. It is considered a Western pop standard and has been covered by many artists, including Sonny Rollins and Herb Alpert, and is listed by the Western Writers of America as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
