I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I told you 'bout living in the U.S. of A.
Don't you know that I'm a gangster of love
Let me tell you people that I found a new way
And I'm tired of all this talk about love
And the same old story with a new set of words
About the good and the bad and the poor
And the times keep on changin'
So I'm keepin' on top
Of every fat cat who walks through my door
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I was born on this rock
And I've been travelin' through space
Since the moment I first realized
What all you fast talkin' cats would do if you could
You know, I'm ready for the final surprise
There ain't no way around it
Ain't nothing to say
That's gonna satisfy my soul deep inside
All the prayers and surveyors
Keep the whole place uptight
While it keeps on gettin' darker outside
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I see the show downs, slow downs, lost and found, turn arounds
The boys in the military shirts
I keep my eyes on the prize, on the long fallen skies
And I don't let my friends get hurt
All you back room schemers, power trip dreamers
Better find something new to say
Cause you're the same old story
It's the same old crime
And you got some heavy dues to pay
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't you know that I'm a gangster of love
Let me tell you people that I found a new way
And I'm tired of all this talk about love
And the same old story with a new set of words
About the good and the bad and the poor
And the times keep on changin'
So I'm keepin' on top
Of every fat cat who walks through my door
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I was born on this rock
And I've been travelin' through space
Since the moment I first realized
What all you fast talkin' cats would do if you could
You know, I'm ready for the final surprise
There ain't no way around it
Ain't nothing to say
That's gonna satisfy my soul deep inside
All the prayers and surveyors
Keep the whole place uptight
While it keeps on gettin' darker outside
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I see the show downs, slow downs, lost and found, turn arounds
The boys in the military shirts
I keep my eyes on the prize, on the long fallen skies
And I don't let my friends get hurt
All you back room schemers, power trip dreamers
Better find something new to say
Cause you're the same old story
It's the same old crime
And you got some heavy dues to pay
I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
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Great version of a great song,
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
The first line is common for Miller. He is referencing his song "Living in the U.S.A." from his previous album Sailor. That is similar to how he references this song in his later song "The Joker" on the album of the same name.
In the same manner, he then references his song "Gangster of Love", also off Sailor. However, this was not completely Miller's song. It is obviously a rendition of Johnny Winter's version of the song, originally written by Johnny Watson. Miller has been accused of "stealing" blues music, but many musicians cover songs by other musicians.
It is well documented that the Beatles' Paul McCartney collaborated on the album that contained this song. At a point when the Beatles were recording a plethora of "All You Need is Love" songs, Miller states that he is tired of all this talk about love. He then takes a dig at the popular "help the poor" music of the time with a reference to The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly that was very popular the year before this song was written.
Finally, a dig at Dylan with a reference to the times changing (his song, "The Times They Are a-Changin'" was popular two years before this song was written).
The rest of this song references Miller's experiences at the time. He hadn't hit it big yet. People did notice him though (Paul McCartney volunteered to play on his album). It is certain that there were "fat cats" coming in and trying to cut deals, which he obviously wasn't fond of.
Miller also expresses his views of religion in general (at the time, there were many "new-age" religions gaining in popularity). He states that they keep praying, but the world keeps getting darker.
His reference to military conflicts both in Vietnam and against citizens in the United States is very weak with just a mention of men in military shirts. He doesn't take a stance of good or bad, just a note that he will protect his friends.
As for the "Space Cowboy", at this point in time, there was a space race. Mass media was filled with images of space slowly replacing the old westerns. Space Cowboy simply merges the two, and probably made the song more popular than if he used Astronaut Cowboy.
Of Course he has. And he's got a song called "Gangster of Love" as well. 20 seconds of netsearch would've shown. "The Joker" refers directly to both.
Of course he has. And he's got a song called "Gangster of Love" as well. "The Joker" refers to both of them.
"Space Cowboy" is from Miller's "Brave New World" album (1969) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. For accurate information on all things Steve Miller-related, check gangster-of-love.com
fireforge you're an idiot this is one of Steve's earlier songs before he hit it big.
Here's my question. Where can I find this song? I heard this on internet radio and I really dig it, but fools like individualgurl and fireforge have made it so that upon searching for space cowboy, all I get are results for the joker (which a lot of people stupidly refer to as space cowboy) So for all the folks who love steve miller, someone please tell me where I can find this song. And don't tell me to find the album and get it that way cuz no, that's not working either. Everyone and their mother thinks that space cowboy is the joker. Someone please help.
Hi, <br /> <br /> email me @ : uh8me4ever@hotmail.com ( i know , morbid...whatever)<br /> and I will forward a copy of the song
@marxmon186 I hope in the last 16 years You've been able to find it.
If you guys don't believe it, go and buy "Steve Miller Band: Extended Versions".
k, these are not the real lyrics guys, get with it
@individualgurl youtube.com/watch
@individualgurl youtube.com/watch
@individualgurl Wtf are you writing about, these ARE the real lyrics, you can compare them on Genius.com. Oh fk, this was posted 22 years ago, Jesus.
Miller doesn't have a song called Space Cowboy, sorry to say. The one your looking for is "The Joker". Kick ass song by the way. I have no idea what this is.
@Fireforge00 youtube.com/watch
@Fireforge00 You're an idiot.