All Hat, No Cattle
About the Song
Somewhere around 2012, I saw the movie All Hat, which starred Keith Carradine, one of my favorite cowboy actors (The Long Riders, Dead Man's Walk, etc.). Being from New England, I was unfamiliar with the phrase, "All Hat, No Cattle".
The lyrics are not not based on any one person, but are an amalgam of many different persons I've met along the way that fit the bill. I'm sure you know some.
"If the hat fits..."
Josh Ford plays some great Tele licks, Jennie is great as always, and the rhythm section of Todd and Alex grooves effortlessly.
During a recent visit to Texas, when I saw a cowboy hat hanging on a hook and some cows hanging out in the field, the only natural thing to do was play this song with cattle in the background. So here it is, unvarnished and done at the drop of a (cowboy) hat.
George Stephen Kelly: Vocal, Acoustic, Electric & Steel Guitars
Jennie Knaggs: Vocal
Josh Ford: Lead Guitar
Alex Lyon: Bass
Todd Glass: Drums
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All Hat, No Cattle
You must think you're the meow of the cat
You're all gussied up in those fancy duds and your ten gallon hat
But when the heat is on you ride low in the saddle
Anyone can see, you're all hat and no cattle
You parade around so full of yourself
There just ain't no room for anyone else
Just like a snake, that ain't got no rattle
You're all hat and no cattle
You strut around like you're some kinda high-falutin', rootin' tootin', boot-scootin' son of a gun
Act like the cock of the walk when you're nothin' but talk
You just can't fool everyone
Well, you're in cahoots with other empty suits
Nobody can dispute that
That you're all hat, no cattle and that's a fact, Jack
You may be slicker than the road to hell
And if you airbrush yourself just right maybe nobody can tell
That you're all sizzle, yeah and no steak
You're all hat, no cattle for goodness sake
You act like you know all there is to know
If anyone disagrees you tell them where to go
But when the pressure is on in the heat of the battle
You're all hat and no cattle
You're all hat and no cattle
You're all hat and no cattle
Jennie Knaggs
George & Jennie
Josh Ford
Alex Lyon
Todd Glass