After departing The Guthries to embark on a solo career, Mays released his self-titled debut which maintained the rootsy, laid-back feel of his earlier work but also had a decidedly more rock vibe. The solo debut caused quite a stir across Canada and went on to be nominated to two Juno Awards (New Artist & Adult Alternative Album).
Mays followed this up with the first Matt Mays & El Torpedo album, recorded with the live band he had formed to tour in support of the Matt Mays album. Matt Mays & El Torpedo had quickly evolved into one of Canada’s best live acts. Produced with Grammy Award-winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, Keith Richards), the album’s first single “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a massive hit and the album went on to win four East Coast Music Awards in 2006. The band began working in the US as well, the highlight of which was an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show.
Just when everyone had him tagged as a Tom Petty inspired rock and roller Mays veered off in another direction, producing the music for ill-fated When the Angels Make Contact film. While it confounded many fans the album was a critical success and went on to be nominated for another Juno in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year category. Matt put together an eight piece band to tour the music and visuals from When The Angels Make Contact.
2008 saw the return of El Torpedo and the Terminal Romance album. Produced in the UK with producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Anvil) the album features the singles “Tall Trees”, “Building A Boat”, and the epic title track. Terminal Romance won the ECMA for Rock Album of the Year in 2008 and was nominated for a Juno in the same category.
Mays is back in solo mode now, working on material when not on the road with a new band performing material from all four albums.
Cocaine Cowgirl
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Searching for, the story line
Cause the one your living now is doing nothing for you
Say good bye to your friends or the ones who love you
Moving on
JJ's song, has been pushing you along
Gypsy man, on a one night stand
Moving through the night far from the lights
On an asphalt path, drifting over the white line
Gypsy man, nobody knows
Cocaine cowgirl, shes out catching eyes
On the other end, of the desert skys
Taking you down to the dark side of town, a dark side of town
Cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows
Looking back, through the chapters of your life
searching for, a story line
Cause any line is a good time for you
Living what the world's been writing for you (cocaine)
Cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows
Cause any line is a good time for you
Living what the world's written for you (cocaine)
Gypsy man, nobody knows
Cause any line is a good time for you
Living what the world's written for you (cocaine)
cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows
The song "Cocaine Cowgirl" by Matt Mays & El Torpedo is a hauntingly beautiful piece about a woman who lives recklessly, indulging in drugs and one-night stands while drifting through life. The opening lines of the song set the scene for the singer's introspection: "Looking back, through the chapters of your life, searching for the story line. 'Cause the one you're living now is doing nothing for you." The woman the song is about is unfulfilled and searching for something more in her life.
The chorus of the song is where the title comes in: "Cocaine cowgirl, she's out catching eyes on the other end of the desert skies. Taking you down to the dark side of town, a dark side of town. Cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows." The woman in question is essentially a wanderer, moving through the desert and taking risks as she goes. She's "catching eyes" and living on the edge, but nobody knows who she really is or what motivates her.
The verses go on to describe the people and experiences she encounters along the way, including a man named JJ who pushes her to keep moving forward, and a "Gypsy man" who is her one-night stand. The woman seems to have no anchor or direction in her life, instead living for the temporary highs that drugs and reckless behavior bring her.
Overall, "Cocaine Cowgirl" is a song about the human need for meaning and purpose, and the ways in which some people search for those things in dangerous or unhealthy ways. The song's haunting melody and lyrics create a sense of longing and desperation, leaving the listener with the sense that there is more to this woman's story than what we see on the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back, through the chapters of your life
Reflecting on your past experiences
Searching for, the story line
Trying to find meaning or purpose in your life
Cause the one your living now is doing nothing for you
Feeling unsatisfied with your current situation
Say good bye to your friends or the ones who love you
Leaving behind loved ones to pursue your own desires
Moving on
Starting a new chapter in your life
JJ's song, has been pushing you along
Using music as motivation to continue moving forward
Gypsy man, on a one night stand
Living a transient, adventurous lifestyle
Moving through the night far from the lights
Traveling through unfamiliar and distant places
On an asphalt path, drifting over the white line
Driving recklessly and dangerously
Gypsy man, nobody knows
Living a life that is not understood by others
Cocaine cowgirl, shes out catching eyes
Attracting attention by being reckless and dangerous
On the other end, of the desert skys
Existing in a remote and wild environment
Taking you down to the dark side of town, a dark side of town
Bringing you to dangerous and unforgiving places
Cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows
Living a life that is not understood by others
Cause any line is a good time for you
Finding enjoyment in reckless behavior
Living what the world's been writing for you (cocaine)
Giving in to societal pressures to partake in harmful activities
Cause any line is a good time for you
Finding enjoyment in reckless behavior
Living what the world's written for you (cocaine)
Giving in to societal pressures to partake in harmful activities
Gypsy man, nobody knows
Living a life that is not understood by others
Cause any line is a good time for you
Finding enjoyment in reckless behavior
Living what the world's written for you (cocaine)
Giving in to societal pressures to partake in harmful activities
cocaine cowgirl, nobody knows
Living a life that is not understood by others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind