Luke Combs Previews New Album with 'I Ain't No Cowboy' Single

The country star's upcoming album 'The Way I Am' is set for release this Friday.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:40pm

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Luke Combs has released a new single, "I Ain't No Cowboy," as he continues building anticipation for his forthcoming album "The Way I Am," set for release on March 20th. The heartfelt track was co-written by Combs, Cody Johnson, and Jake Mears, and centers on a man wishing he could be the kind of cowboy hero who sweeps a woman off her feet.

Why it matters

Combs is one of country music's biggest stars, and the release of new music from him is always highly anticipated by his devoted fanbase. "I Ain't No Cowboy" provides a preview of the sound and themes of his upcoming album, which is expected to further cement his status as a leading voice in contemporary country.

The details

"I Ain't No Cowboy" was written by Combs, Johnson, and Mears during a tour stop in Australia. Combs says the idea for the song came together unexpectedly, with him and Johnson both working on similar cowboy-themed ideas that day. The new single is the latest preview of Combs' upcoming album "The Way I Am," which also features previous releases like "My Kinda Saturday Night" and a collaboration with bluegrass icon Alison Krauss.

  • Combs released "I Ain't No Cowboy" on March 17, 2026.
  • "The Way I Am" is set for release on March 20, 2026.

The players

Luke Combs

A popular country music singer-songwriter known for hits like "Hurricane" and "Beautiful Crazy."

Cody Johnson

A fellow country artist who co-wrote "I Ain't No Cowboy" with Combs.

Jake Mears

A songwriter who co-wrote "I Ain't No Cowboy" with Combs and Johnson.

Alison Krauss

A bluegrass icon who is featured on a song called "Ever Mine" on Combs' upcoming album.

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What they’re saying

“We were on tour in Australia with Cody Johnson and had planned to get together while we were there. I had this cowboy idea for a song, and ironically, he'd started writing something really similar that same day. We ended up finding time to write and finished 'I Ain't No Cowboy' with his guitar player Jake Mears, and I even got to play it at one of the shows Down Under. The fans really seemed to love it, so I'm excited they get to hear it a week before the full album comes out.”

— Luke Combs (kvakradio.com)

What’s next

Combs will kick off his massive "My Kinda Saturday Night Tour" this spring, with sold-out stadium shows across the U.S., U.K. and Europe.

The takeaway

Luke Combs' new single "I Ain't No Cowboy" provides an early glimpse into his highly anticipated upcoming album "The Way I Am," further solidifying his status as one of country music's biggest stars and most compelling storytellers.