Story Behind the Song: Stephanie Quayle, ‘If I Was a Cowboy’

Stephanie Quayle's single "If I Was a Cowboy" evokes the cowboy mindset of dealing with whatever comes your way, whether that might be inclement weather, wild animals or any of the other many dangers of the open plains. However, the singer explains, that mindset can serve a purpose in romantic relationships, too.

Read on to learn how Quayle decided to record "If I Was a Cowboy" -- which was written by Shane McAnnally, Ross Copperman and Nicolle Galyon -- and why the song meant so much to her from the very first time she heard it.

I love the juxtaposition of a cowboy state of mind with also the lyric of being, you know, a vulnerable woman. I grew up in Montana, where I was surrounded by cowboys, so I always wanted to be a cowboy. So when I heard this title, I was like, "Man, this is mine!" before I even heard the words and the melodies.

You know, that cowboy state of mind -- having that courage and that strength, even when sometimes you don't -- is what really spoke to me. I think that, with cowboys, when you're out there on the plains, you're making decisions that are life or death, a lot of times. You have to deal with weather. You have to deal with wild creatures. There are so many different things that can go awry. And I think that, a lot of times, those decisions just have to be made, and you don't get to put your emotions into it. You just have to go with what's the next best step.

I think we can all relate to being in relationships maybe too long. Or maybe having a relationship fall apart and staying in that wondering [mindset] too long. I wish I could have told that to my younger self -- like, "Hey, move on. Move on faster! Let your heart heal faster."

That's why this song spoke to me. It kind of says, "Hey, get in your cowboy state of mind and let's go."

WATCH: Stephanie Quayle Performs "If I Was a Cowboy"