Standards

I'm An Old Cowhand chords & key

Key: E♭ major
Form: A
Bars: 18
Groove: Medium swing
Time signature: 4/4

“I'm An Old Cowhand” is a jazz standard by Johnny Mercer. Most bands play it in E♭ major, medium swing; the tune runs 18 bars in A form. Harmonically it contains 4 major ii–V–I cadences and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 8 different chords and moves between the key centres E♭ major, G minor and F minor. In this atlas it appears on 6 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — E♭ major

F^m7

B♭⁷

E♭⁶

F^m7

B♭⁷

E♭⁶

C^m

G^m

C^m

G^m

A^m7♭5D^7♭9

G^mC⁷

F^m7B♭⁷

E♭⁶C⁷

F^m7B♭⁷

E♭⁶C⁷

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

4Major ii–V–I

2Minor ii–V–i

6ii–V moves

0Tritone substitutions

0Dominant chains

8Different chords

Most used chords

E♭⁶×6
F^m7×4
B♭⁷×4
G^m×3
C⁷×3
C^m×2

Key centres reached by ii–V

E♭ major, G minor and F minor

Recorded on these albums

1956	Home On The Range Bing Crosby · “I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)”
1986	Bing Crosby Sings Again Bing Crosby · “I’m an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)”
1996	My Favorite Country Songs Bing Crosby · “I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)”
2000	The Essential Collection Bing Crosby · “I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)”
—	Bing Bing Crosby · “I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)”
—	It’s Easy to Remember Bing Crosby · “I’m an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)”

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
They Didn't Believe Me 38%	Jerome Kern	G major	AB · 32	Medium swing
This Is All I Ask 38%	Gordon Jenkins	F major	ABAC · 32	Ballad
Am I Blue? 37%	Harry Akst	F major	AABC · 32	Medium swing
Line For Lyons 36%	Gerry Mulligan	G major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
Too Young To Go Steady 32%	Jimmy McHugh	F major	AABA · 32	Ballad
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 29%	George Bassman	F major	AABA · 36	Medium swing
Sometimes I'm Happy 28%	Vincent Youmans	F major	ABAB · 32	Medium swing
Fran Dance 27%	Miles Davis	B♭ major	AABAB · 40	Medium swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is I'm An Old Cowhand in?

I'm An Old Cowhand is usually played in E♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is F major, for E♭ instruments C major.

Who wrote I'm An Old Cowhand?

I'm An Old Cowhand was written by Johnny Mercer.

What is the form of I'm An Old Cowhand?

I'm An Old Cowhand has 1 sections (A) with 18 bars in total.

How fast is I'm An Old Cowhand played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to I'm An Old Cowhand?

The opening bars are Fm7 | Bb7 | Eb6 | Eb6. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.