The Everly Brothers' song "Night Rider" tells the story of a cowboy who has been traveling on the road for a long time. The term "night rider" refers to someone who spends their nights riding, indicating that the cowboy has been on the move for an extended period. The lyrics suggest that the cowboy is feeling lost and unsure of his path in life. He is constantly searching for something, symbolized by his desire to "get in" with women, but he is often rejected. The line "But you know you're gonna catch her at sundown, That's when you'll turn her around" implies that he believes he will eventually succeed in winning over a woman. The chorus emphasizes that the cowboy has been in the saddle (representing his journey) for too long and has lost his way on the midnight trail (symbolizing the dark and uncertain path he is on). He is consumed with thoughts of women and the ones he couldn't have, lamenting that he cannot have them all. The song implies that the cowboy's constant pursuit of women is a fantasy that he will never fully realize. Despite spending his life dreaming of romantic conquests, it is suggested that he is trapped in a cycle of chasing an unattainable goal. Overall, "Night Rider" explores themes of longing, disillusionment, and the consequences of pursuing unattainable desires. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being too consumed by unreachable fantasies and the consequences of being lost on one's own path.
