Tim McGraw: Indian Outlaw Launched My Career

Tim McGraw said his controversial song Indian Outlaw about being 'half Cherokee and Choctaw' helped launch his career in 1994 even though most artists would face substantial backlash putting out a track full of Native American stereotypes in 2026 (wigwam, tom-tom, peace pipe and teepee).

The 58-year-old country crooner - who's of European descent - had originally planned to release Indian Outlaw on his self-titled debut in 1993, but 'nobody liked it' including his label Curb.

'They just said it was too controversial and it was a bad song,' McGraw (born Samuel Timothy Smith) recalled on The Tim Ferriss Show February 4.

'It wasn't country music. It won't work on radio...I knew it worked. But I didn't have any say-so on the first album.'

The three-time Grammy winner went on to perform the platinum song live at clubs and honky-tonks for fans who loved it so much they would 'end up having to play it three or four times a night.'

The very next year, McGraw recorded the track for his second studio album Not a Moment Too Soon, thinking it would either work in a huge way or ruin his career forever.

'Luckily, it worked,' the Paper Umbrellas singer said.

'I'll forever believe that the combination of [Indian Outlaw and Don't Take the Girl] is what set my career in motion and gave me momentum that I probably couldn't have gotten any other way.'

Indeed, Indian Outlaw landed McGraw his first top-40 country hit, peaking at number eight on Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks, as well as reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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'I met with several Native American leaders. Some liked the song, some didn't like the song,' The Mighty Nein actor said.

'And my answer was, "Look, I understand what your concerns are. The song's not meant to be that way, I understand your concerns. My opinion, if you need to go after me in order to raise attention and awareness, by all means, use my song for that. If you like it or don't like it, if you can make something good happen from it, then by all means, I'm not going to be offended."'

McGraw continued: 'And now when I play Native American casinos, when I meet with the elders or the chiefs before the show, I always say, "You know, I have Indian Outlaw on my set, but I'm happy to take it out if it's offensive." And invariably 99.9% of the time they [say], "That's why we hired you is [laughter] to sing that song!" So they love it. So it's been really good to me.'

The One Bad Habit belter did not dress up like a traditional Native American, but he does romance a 'Chippewa' woman, in the Indian Outlaw music video, which has amassed 11 million views.

In the comments section, YouTube users like @douglasjames1943 and @PeaceTeaHippie passionately defended the song because they were of Native descent.

The 58-year-old country crooner - who's of European descent - had originally planned to release Indian Outlaw on his self-titled debut in 1993, but 'nobody liked it' including his label Curb (pictured in 1994)

McGraw recalled on The Tim Ferriss Show February 4: 'They just said it was too controversial and it was a bad song. It wasn't country music. It won't work on radio...I knew it worked. But I didn't have any say-so on the first album'

The very next year, the three-time Grammy winner recorded the track for his second studio album Not a Moment Too Soon, thinking it would either work in a huge way or ruin his career forever: 'Luckily, it worked'

Indeed, Indian Outlaw landed McGraw his first top-40 country hit, peaking at number eight on Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks, as well as reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100

The Mighty Nein actor added: 'And now when I play Native American casinos, when I meet with the elders or the chiefs before the show, I always say, "You know, I have Indian Outlaw on my set, but I'm happy to take it out if it's offensive." And invariably 99.9% of the time they [say], "That's why we hired you is [laughter] to sing that song!" So they love it'

The One Bad Habit belter did not dress up like a traditional Native American, but he does romance a 'Chippewa' woman (R), in the Indian Outlaw music video, which has amassed 11 million views

In the comments section, YouTube users like @douglasjames1943 and @PeaceTeaHippie passionately defended the song because they were of Native descent

'I'm 100% Native American [and] proud. Glad I found this song [it] brings back memories,' YouTube user @eaglefeather810 commented. 'I'm from Rosebud, SD Sioux tribe'

YouTube user @lite6460 wrote: 'I'm part Native American, and I love this song and video!'

McGraw - who's undergone four back surgeries and double-knee replacements since 2024 - is next scheduled to headline the Houston Rodeo at NRG Stadium in Texas on March 21 (pictured February 1)

'Real Indian here (Apache and Cherokee) love this song,' YouTube user @andreasorourke4252 wrote.

'I'm 100% Native American [and] proud. Glad I found this song [it] brings back memories,' YouTube user @eaglefeather810 commented.

'I'm from Rosebud, SD Sioux tribe.'

And YouTube user @lite6460 wrote: 'I'm part Native American, and I love this song and video!'

The husband of Faith Hill - who's currently recording his 18th studio album - has undergone four back surgeries and double-knee replacements following his Standing Room Only Tour in 2024.

McGraw is next scheduled to headline the Houston Rodeo at NRG Stadium in Texas on March 21 before kicking off his 33-date Pawn Shop Guitar Tour on July 9.

The Democrat-voting crooner - who pulls 10.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify - has sold over 106 million records worldwide and achieved 47 No. 1 radio singles and 19 No. 1 albums.