Several music writers noted that Campbell identified with the subject matter of "Rhinestone Cowboy" – survival and making it, particularly when the chips are down – very strongly.
sˈɛvɹəl mjˈuːzɪk ɹˈaɪɾɚz nˈoʊɾᵻd ðæt kˈæmbəl aɪdˈɛntᵻfˌaɪd wɪððə sˈʌbdʒɛkt mˈæɾɚɹ ʌv "ɹˈaɪnstoʊn kˈaʊbɔɪ" sɚvˈaɪvəl ænd mˈeɪkɪŋ ɪt, pɚtˈɪkjʊlɚli wɛn ðə tʃˈɪps ɑːɹ dˌaʊn vˈɛɹi stɹˈɔŋli.