Lyrics: Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

If you’re a fan of ’90s music, you’ve probably heard the hit song ‘Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?’ by Paula Cole. The song was released in 1997 and quickly became a chart-topping hit. But what are the lyrics to this iconic song? Let’s take a closer look.

Verse 1

Oh, you get me ready in your 56 Chevy
Why don’t we go sit down in the shade?
Take shelter on my front porch
The dandy lion sun scorching,
Like a glass of cold lemonade
I will do the laundry if you pay all the bills

The first verse of the song sets the scene for a lazy summer day. The narrator is with her partner, sitting in the shade of a front porch and enjoying the sunshine. She offers to do the laundry if her partner pays the bills, suggesting a traditional gender role dynamic.

Chorus

Where is my John Wayne?
Where is my prairie song?
Where is my happy ending?
Where have all the cowboys gone?

The chorus of the song is perhaps the most memorable part. The narrator is searching for her ideal man, someone who embodies the rugged, independent spirit of a cowboy. She references John Wayne, a famous actor known for his roles in Western films, and longs for a happy ending with her own cowboy.

Verse 2

You tipped your hat and wept
Like a dove
And you laid down
On the ground beside me
And you whispered
Something soft and sweet
You said, “I’m gonna make
This world believe
You’re still living
And you’re still strong”
After they’ve seen
Paris

The second verse of the song is more poetic and abstract than the first. The narrator describes a moment with her partner where he comforts her and promises to help her be seen as strong and resilient. The reference to Paris is unclear, but it could suggest a desire for adventure and romance.

Chorus

Where is my John Wayne?
Where is my prairie song?
Where is my happy ending?
Where have all the cowboys gone?

The chorus repeats, emphasizing the narrator’s longing for a traditional, romantic relationship with a cowboy-like figure.

Bridge

I said, “I don’t know
My dear
Where we’re headed
Now that all the cowboys
Have gone”
And you said
“We’ll build a fire
And then we’ll watch
The stars that climb”
You said, “We’ll do
All of this together
Until the end of time”

The bridge of the song is a conversation between the narrator and her partner. She expresses uncertainty about their future without cowboys, but he reassures her that they will create their own happiness and adventure together.

Chorus

Where is my John Wayne?
Where is my prairie song?
Where is my happy ending?
Where have all the cowboys gone?

The chorus repeats one final time, ending the song on a wistful note.

The Story Behind the Song

So what inspired Paula Cole to write ‘Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?’ In an interview with Songfacts, she explained that the song was a response to the grunge movement of the early ’90s. She wanted to write a song that celebrated traditional gender roles and romantic relationships, rather than the angst and rebellion of grunge music.

The song was a huge success, earning Cole three Grammy nominations and a win for Best New Artist. It remains a beloved classic of ’90s music and a testament to the enduring appeal of cowboy culture.

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