The original line-up consisted of lead singer Shannon Selberg, who later took up the bugle, guitarist Thor Eisentrager, bass guitarist Kevin Rutmanis, and drummer Sandris Rutmanis (soon to be replaced by Norm Rogers). The band had a hardcore sound characterized by blurred guitars, however the Cows took the formula a step further, creating a unique and unconventional style.
Stripping away anything that remotely resembled pop - including melody and catchy hooks and riffs - the Cows offered punk rock in its crudest form. John Dougan in All Music Guide described the group's distorted sound as "a feral racket that sounded as is if the guitars were being played with metal files". Lyrically, their songs dealt with just about anything, from losers in life to sex and bodily fluids. And Selberg's shrieking vocal style and general lunacy on stage provided the Cows with a bizarre, yet often engaging focus.
In 1987, the Cows released their debut album, Taint Pluribus, Taint Unum, landing a record deal with Amphetamine Reptile for the release of their second LP, Daddy Has A Tail. And by the time Cunning Stunts arrived in 1992, critics began to cite improvements.
However, while the Cows exhibited a more solid playing technique and greater songwriting focus, they stayed true to their punk roots and anti-commercial stance. "We play music that we like", said Eisentrager once. "We know how the world works. We're not trying to make music for mass consumption. Sometimes you get frustrated, but it's all about music. Episodically you get pissed off, but we've had a fair shake with the band, and we've had good tours. Basically we wish more people could get their hands on the records, but we know what we're doing and like what we do. It's not like somebody is trying ... to ignore us. It's just the nature of the beast".
After the release of Orphan's Tragedy in 1994, Roger decided to leave the Cows, fuelling rumors of a breakup. The rumors were silenced, however, with the release of Whorn in 1996. The album featured a new drummer, Freddy Votel.
In the wake of Whorn, talk of a band breakup emerged a second time when Selberg relocated from Minneapolis to New York City. But a new album again served as notice that the Cows were a healthy unit. Released in 1998, the eclectic Sorry In Pig Minor also saw the Cows, for the first time, exploring new ground. Although evidence of the old Cows remained, Sorry In Pig Minor was more varied in scope and texture. The opener, Cabin Man, was vintage Cows, yet tunes like the Latin-flavored El Shiksa and the jazzy Felon Of Troy proved that the group could handle more than punk.
After more than a decade of noise rock, the Cows disbanded in 1998.
They have a star on Minneapolis' First Avenue. Their singer, Shannon Selberg, has gone on with music, fronting the noise rock band The Heroine Sheiks.
Good Cop
Cows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me an inch, Give me an inch - come save me
Get it out and spread it out - it's time
Good cop
We're on the tracks, we're on a cliff on a rock-pile
You blast you're light on top of me, I'm a sundial
I'm tired of all the phony "freaks" and Sunday creeps
The door is locked, we can't avoid the celebration
They've got the books, they've got their monkey nation
It's bullshit - it's air and spit - come to me
Good cop
What's there to get? The money's spent - don't defend me
The ride was long, but the circles drawn - we're a memory
It never works for fucking jerks - we're paper
Good cop
It never works we're fucking jerks, we're paid for
Good cop
I'm spread around with you, with it - I can't take me
Give me an inch, Give me an inch - come save me
It's bullshit - it's air and spit - come to me
Good cop
The lyrics of "Good Cop" by Cows are difficult to interpret, but it seems to describe a feeling of being trapped and overwhelmed, caught in a cycle of self-destruction and dependency. The singer seems to be addressing someone, pleading for help or salvation, but at the same time, they are resisting and pushing away. The repeated calls for a "good cop" suggest a need for someone to take control and provide guidance, but also a distrust of authority and a desire for freedom.
The first stanza speaks of being "spread around" with someone or something, and feeling unable to handle oneself. The request for an inch to be given to the singer suggests they are holding on by a thread and need some form of assistance. The second stanza seems to describe a dangerous situation where the singer is on the edge of a cliff with someone shining a light on them like a sundial. The reference to "phony 'freaks'" and "Sunday creeps" suggests a contempt for those who are insincere or hypocritical. The third stanza speaks of an approaching celebration from which the singer cannot escape. The use of the phrase "monkey nation" suggests a group that is mindlessly following trends or ideas. The final stanza talks of the futility of seeking help, as even when the singer tries to change or improve, it never works.
Overall, the song paints a picture of someone who is lost and struggling with their place in the world. They are seeking help and guidance but are also defiant and frustrated with authority. The repeated references to a "good cop" suggest a longing for someone to take charge and lead them out of their predicament.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm spread around with you, with it - I can't take me
I feel like I'm losing myself when I'm with you and this situation, and I can't handle it.
Give me an inch, Give me an inch - come save me
I need some space and a way out of this situation - help me out.
Get it out and spread it out - it's time
We need to confront and address the issues and problems that are affecting us.
Good cop
Things are looking up - we have a chance to make things better.
We're on the tracks, we're on a cliff on a rock-pile
We're in a precarious and unstable situation, with danger looming.
You blast you're light on top of me, I'm a sundial
You're shining a harsh light on me, making me feel exposed and vulnerable.
I'm tired of all the phony "freaks" and Sunday creeps
I'm fed up with all the fake and annoying people in our lives.
The door is locked, we can't avoid the celebration
We're stuck in a situation we can't get out of, and we have to participate in something we don't want to.
They've got the books, they've got their monkey nation
Other people hold all the power and knowledge, and we feel like we're just following blindly.
It's bullshit - it's air and spit - come to me
This whole situation is pointless and fake - let's get out of here together.
What's there to get? The money's spent - don't defend me
There's no point in trying to save me or fix this situation - it's already over.
The ride was long, but the circles drawn - we're a memory
Our journey together was difficult and we didn't really go anywhere - now we're just a distant memory.
It never works for fucking jerks - we're paper
People like us never seem to make it or succeed - we're just worthless and disposable.
It never works we're fucking jerks, we're paid for
We may be losers, but at least we're making some money off of it.
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.