The song received positive reviews from critics and became the fastest climbing country single of 2009. It also became Underwood's eighth number one country single in the United States. The single was certified 2xPlatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Background
After the end of her "Carnival Ride Tour", in February 2009, Underwood began writing songs for her new album Play On. She collaborated with a number of producers which included Brett James, one of the three co-writers of her hit single "Jesus, Take the Wheel",[4] and Mike Elizondo, who had collaborated with Eminem and Dr. Dre. Elizondo came up with the main melody of the song, to which James and Underwood set the lyrics.[4] James then suggested the title "Cowboy Casanova" off a list of potential titles that he had, and the lyrics talk about a male character who is a "devil in disguise." In an interview with CMT Underwood said,
"I think to every woman, this song would be telling a story about someone they know or met or has tried to pick them up in a bar".[5] "We're not trashing this guy, we're just warning these other girls about him."[4]
An unfinished version of the song leaked online on September 2, 2009 after receiving airplay from KMPS-FM in Seattle. The label then rush-released the official version to Underwood's YouTube channel on September 3, 2009.[6] It was officially made available for download on September 14, 2009.
The song has been met with generally favorable reviews. Billboard reviewed the song favorably, stating that it "gives [Underwood] the chance to display the sassy side of her musical persona, which made previous hit "Before He Cheats" such an impact record. Blessed with a versatile set of pipes that make the best of any tune, Underwood shines on this steamy upbeat number".[7] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock also gave a favorable review, saying, "Although the song borrows familiar melodic themes, the production is sparkling; Carrie sings the verses with rapid-fire precision and the hook is just infectious. This may very well be my favorite Carrie Underwood single yet."[8] Kevin Coyne of Country Universe said that on “Cowboy Casanova”, Underwood makes a strong attempt but doesn't quite pull it off. We’re left with just a decent single that doesn't feel quite country enough or quite pop enough to make it a keeper, therefore giving her a grade of B−.[9]
Commercial reception
"Cowboy Casanova" was released on September 14, 2009 for digital download. The song logged a first week sales of 110,236 copies in downloads. The song also made Underwood the only solo country artist in 2009 to debut a digital single above the 100,000.[10] The song also became the fastest climbing single in Underwood's career and also the fastest-climbing single of 2009 in the country music genre.[11] Additionally, the song gave Underwood the most Top 10 hits on the country chart this decade - 10 top 10 singles followed by Faith Hill and Martina McBride each with nine.[12]
As of October 2015, 2,300,000 copies of "Cowboy Casanova" were sold in the US.[3] It has been certified 2× Platinum, being Underwood's fourth single to do so.[13]
Music video
The music video was filmed on September 2, 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana.[14] It premiered during CMT's Big New Music Weekend on October 2, 2009.[15]
The video was directed by Theresa Wingert and it features Underwood and an entourage of attractive female dancers all wearing flapper party gowns. She warns the video's audience, as well as her entourage, about smooth-talking attractive men and their true intentions. An attractive man sporting a fancy outfit that consists of an overcoat and a fedora gazes at the scene with interest. The man, a good representation of the song's topic, seemingly has designs on Underwood and as the video progresses the dancers become dressed in revealing clothing, consisting of garters and corsets. Eventually, Underwood, along with her empowered entourage, has a showdown with the man in a back alley and defiantly spurns his advances, leading him to give up and walk away. The video also became Underwood's first choreographed video.[16]
"Cowboy Casanova" debuted at number 26 on the U.S. BillboardHot Country Songs chart for the week of September 19, 2009 and reached the number one spot in its tenth week, becoming Underwood's eighth number one on that chart and also her fastest climbing song at that time. "Cowboy Casanova" was also marked as Underwood's fastest climbing song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, climbing to number 11 only one week after its official release.[22] The song made its debut on the U.S. BillboardHot 100 at number 96, making a jump to number 11 in its second week, becoming her sixth top 20 Hot 100 hit.
