Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
Wild Wild West
Christopher Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The white man rules the game
Searching through the flames tonight
There's no one left to blame
This town just don't seem big enough
For the likes of the two of us
In the wild wild west, my friend
Living in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west again
We left our bootprint on the shore
And rode off on toward sunset
We left the natives on the cutting room floor
And the shootings still not done yet
This town just don't seem big enough
For the likes of the two of us
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
Living in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west again
Lazy boy and channel three
Bourbon and contrition
Say a prayer for the NRA
And pass the ammunition
This town just don't seem big enough
For the likes of the two of us
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
Mercy, folly and frustration
Mercy, too much information
Oh, mercy, desperate situation
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west again
This town just don't seem big enough
For the likes of the two of us
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
Oh this world just don't seem big enough
For really two of us
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
Here in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
Living in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west again
The lyrics of Christopher Cross's song 'Wild Wild West' paint a picture of the American frontier, where cowboys and gunslingers rule the plains. The lyrics suggest that the white man rules the game, indicating that the song takes place during a time when Western expansion was at its peak. The line "There's no one left to blame" suggests that the violent confrontation between cowboys and natives has already taken place and that there is now no one left to blame for the bloodshed.
The chorus emphasizes the sense of lawlessness and danger that comes with living in the wild wild west. The two protagonists are presented as brave and fearless, leaving their mark on the shore and riding off into the sunset, but they also acknowledge the violence and suffering that come with life in this rough and tumble world. The line "Say a prayer for the NRA and pass the ammunition" suggests that guns are a vital part of survival in this world, and that there is a constant threat of violence just beneath the surface.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Wild Wild West' offer a glimpse into the harsh and unforgiving world of the American frontier, where violence was common and the rules seemed to be constantly shifting. The song suggests that while the west may have been wild and exciting, it was also a dangerous and unpredictable place where only the strong survived.
Line by Line Meaning
Out here on the plains tonight
We are currently on the plains tonight
The white man rules the game
The white man is in control
Searching through the flames tonight
We are searching through the flames tonight
There's no one left to blame
No one is currently responsible for the situation
This town just don't seem big enough
The town does not feel big enough
For the likes of the two of us
For us and our personalities
Here in the wild wild west
We are currently in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west, my friend
The wild wild west is where we are, my friend
Living in the wild wild west
We are currently living in the wild wild west
In the wild wild west again
We are once again in the wild wild west
We left our bootprint on the shore
We have left a mark on the shore
And rode off on toward sunset
We rode off into the sunset
We left the natives on the cutting room floor
We edited out the natives from our story
And the shootings still not done yet
The shootings are still happening
Lazy boy and channel three
We are currently relaxing
Bourbon and contrition
We are drinking bourbon
Say a prayer for the NRA
We are asking for a prayer for the NRA
And pass the ammunition
We are passing the ammunition
Mercy, folly and frustration
We are feeling a mix of mercy, folly, and frustration
Mercy, too much information
We have received too much information
Oh, mercy, desperate situation
We are currently in a desperate situation
Oh this world just don't seem big enough
The world does not feel big enough
For really two of us
For us and our personalities
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jaime Castro
Listen all entire "window" album, it's such a delight. Sadly very underrated.
Terrence Gold
Wow this one rare song. I love CC and thought I knew most of his songs ... just learned a new one.
Rob Meurer
...and J.D. Maness on steel guitar. Thanks, Jaime.
Andrew Flood
I LOVE THIS SONG !!!
ConsumerWarrior
If I'm not mistaken, this was the very last song that Christopher Cross ever released. This man's music was a big part of my formative years.
Jaime Castro
You're so welcome, Rob.
Stefanie Stansfield
Very Fleetwood Mac-ish in the musicianship. What if a new supergroup emerged, even for just 1 album so that kids like me are given the opportunity to hear true living legends perform as one. With Chris, there's be Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Roger Daltrey, Bryan Adams, and who knows, possibly Christine McVie and other guest artists like Neil Young and, dare I say it, Springsteen! Stefanie, age 12
ConsumerWarrior
Darn, Stephanie! You were born in the 21st century? How is it that you know more about 20th century music than I do? Consider yourself to be among the knowledgeable and the gifted.
David Wilder
Let's face it Christopher, you aint no oil painting. But your music....that's a Piccasso. ✌