Roses are red, cowboys are bad. Chase Rice’s album title, “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell,” is both shocking and ironic — especially when listening on a day of love and harmony. In reality, the country singer-songwriter walks like a John Wayne cowboy and adores his four-legged companion, Jack. So, what does Rice really mean when he says “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell?” I found out at Chief’s on Broadway this past Valentine’s Day.
“This [type of show] is new for me, just as it might be new for you,” Rice said as he walked onto the stage.
A few seconds into his first title track, “I Hate Cowboys,” the crowd erupted in laughter. But, as the song progressed, the mood in the room shifted. A sudden realization swept over me — Rice doesn’t hate all cowboys; he just hates the one cowboy who stole his girl.
“They ask her to dance while you’re at the bar / Next thing you know, you got a broken heart / She’s gone and that’s why I hate cowboys,” Rice sang.
The song’s punchy title captivated me, but its storytelling kept me hooked. On par with the theme of country heartbreak, Rice covered Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” and George Strait’s “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.”
Like “I Hate Cowboys,” “All Dogs Go To Hell” is witty in its verses, yet heart-rending in its chorus. The lyrics of the second title track are a clever play on Southern tropes and the lies we tell ourselves when we’re heartbroken.
“Everybody knows the devil went down to Florida / And everybody goes ‘Roll Tide’ up in Georgia,” Rice sang.
While everyone knows that Alabama, not Georgia, is home to “Roll Tide,” heartbreak has a way of distorting reality. Even the simplest truths can feel uncertain when you’re lost in disillusionment. “All Dogs Go To Hell” isn’t about what’s true — it’s about the truths we refuse to face.
“Everybody knows, girl, you’re the one to blame / I ain’t gotta say I’m sorry ‘cause I wouldn’t change a thing / I don’t love you anymore,” Rice sang.
Rice’s fifth album, “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell,” narrates the stories of feeling lost and found. Born in the mountains of North Carolina, it was only fitting that Rice wrote most of the album on outdoor retreats. With songs like “Key West & Colorado” and “Oklahoma,” Rice takes his listeners to the beaches and hillsides he’s visited with his buddies.
“Walk That Easy” — a personal favorite of mine — beautifully captures the experience of everything around you changing, except your feelings for someone. Rice credits the song for transforming his writing.
Other songs, like “Life Part Of Livin” and “Bench Seat,” delve into his past journal entries and an influential conversation over a friend’s mental health. As he’s exploring and sharing these vulnerable topics with country music listeners, Rice is no longer holding back, and the shift hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“It’s crazy to know that you’re making a shift in your career and people still care,” Rice said.
Accompanied by his two songwriting buddies — Oscar Charles and Wyatt McCubbin — Rice performed with a laid-back ease, making it feel like an intimate front-porch jam session. To my surprise, he admitted this was their first time playing together live.
“We’re just making this s— up as we go,” Rice joked.
Despite the show’s lighthearted, casual vibe — even featuring a guest appearance from his dog, Jack — Rice’s music was anything but. For once, Valentine’s Day wasn’t about love songs and sweet nothings. Instead, it was about the longing and honesty in singing “I Hate Cowboys.” For many on Valentine’s Day, that’s all they need.
