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.
You Owe Me
Cows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You couldn't do without it
Now you don't want to know me
Don't want to talk about it
But you owe, you owe me
You know, you know you owe me
You'll never change
I know what I latched onto
And I know how it tore you
Just come downtown to see me
You know I'm always right there for you
Cuz you owe, you owe me
You know, you know you owe me
You'll never break
You're starting to break
I saw you and him together
I saw how he looks at you
I saw you walk away
Does he know what's eating at you?
You owe, you owe me
You know, you know you owe me
You'll never change
How could you change?
The lyrics to the Cows' song "You Owe Me" depict a relationship that has soured, most likely due to some kind of transaction gone wrong. The singer sold something that the other person needed, but now that person seems to be avoiding them. However, the singer feels that the other person owes them something, and keeps insisting that they come and see them, as they are always there. The song is full of bitterness and resentment, with the repeated refrain of "you owe me" implying that the other person has somehow taken advantage of the singer, or not fully paid for what they received.
There are a few ways to interpret the specifics of the song, but it's likely that the "sale" in question was either a drug deal or a sexual encounter. The line "I know what I latched onto / And I know how it tore you" suggests that whatever happened between them wasn't necessarily a positive experience for both parties. It's also possible that the singer has feelings for the other person, which makes their rejection all the more painful. The last verse suggests that the other person has moved on to a new relationship, and the singer is left wondering if that person truly understands what they've lost.
Overall, "You Owe Me" is a song about power dynamics, resentment, and the aftermath of some kind of exchange. The repeated refrain of "you owe me" is a reminder that even when a deal seems to be done, there may be hidden costs or unspoken obligations that linger.
Line by Line Meaning
I sold you what you needed
I provided you with something that you required or couldn't do without.
You couldn't do without it
You relied on the product that I sold you.
Now you don't want to know me
You are avoiding or ignoring me after receiving the product.
Don't want to talk about it
You are unwilling to discuss the situation or product that I sold you.
But you owe, you owe me
You have a debt to me for the product that I sold you.
You know, you know you owe me
You are aware that you owe me for the product.
You'll never change
You will not transform or become different in relation to the debt.
How could you change?
It is impossible for you to become different in relation to the debt.
I know what I latched onto
I am aware of the circumstances and product that I sold you.
And I know how it tore you
I am aware of how the product affected you negatively.
Just come downtown to see me
If you need me, I am located in the downtown area.
You know I'm always right there for you
You are aware that I am always available to help you.
You'll never break
You will not change in relation to the debt.
You're starting to break
You are gradually becoming different in relation to the debt.
I saw you and him together
I witnessed you with another person.
I saw how he looks at you
I witnessed how the other person was interested in you.
I saw you walk away
I witnessed you departing from the situation.
Does he know what's eating at you?
Is the other person aware of what is troubling you?
Contributed by Bentley V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.