Trivia / Urban Cowboy

• Breakaway Country Hit: Most of the soundtrack's cuts became hits on country radio, most prominently "Lookin' for Love" by Johnny Lee, "Stand by Me" by Mickey Gilley, and "Could I Have This Dance" by Anne Murray. The boom of country-pop crossovers helped popularize a more pop crossover-leaning brand of country that lasted for most of The '80s.
• The Cast Showoff: It's a movie with John Travolta dancing. Duh.
• Enforced Method Acting: For the scene where he would pull her hair while abusing her, Debra Winger ordered Scott Glenn to "pull the shit out of her hair", with her cries of pain being very real as a result.
• The Red Stapler: The picture is attributed to contributing to the early 1980s popular interest of mechanical bull riding.
• Star-Making Role: For Debra Winger.
• Throw It In!: The scene where Wes chews up and swallows the worm after drinking the bottle of tequila was not scripted, but a joke done for the dailies.
• What Could Have Been:
  • The script was originally written for Dennis Quaid as Bud. Gary Busey was offered the lead role, but he instead chose to star in Carny, a decision he regretted. Christopher Reeve was also considered.
  • Sissy Spacek was originally cast as Sissy, but she left after a falling out with John Travolta. Michelle Pfeiffer auditioned and was Robert Evans' preferred choice, while Sigourney Weaver was deemed too old for the part. Rene Russo also auditioned.

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