Johnny come home late every night Never on time, try as he might Then one day i heard a telephone ring Johnny been selected, and now he's the king He's gonna be the king of the nighttime cowboys With a hi hi ho, an' a yippy-i-a No more cryin' 'bout the one that got away Then one day i heard a radio flash Johnny been collectin' highway trash He's got to be the king of the nighttime cowboys Everybody see the new sensation Johnny's on the front page cover of a magazine yeah Sweepin' across the nation Get your tickets now! He's playin' on the silver screen Whoa yeah! Johnny come home late every night Never on time, try as johnny might try Then one day i heard a telephone ring Johnny been selected, and baby he's the king The king of the nighttime cowboys King of the nighttime cowboys