Johnston explained that “walking the cow” represents:
"Walking your responsibility. It’s like a burden to me, like walking the cow was bearing your cross. I don’t want to stay here but I’m walking the cow."
The relationship between walking a cow and responsibility could be a reference to Frank Zappa’s cameo in the movie Head, featuring The Monkees. In it, after Davy Jones is seen walking a cow, Zappa tells Jones he should spend more time working on his music.
The song has proven to be one of Johnston’s most popular, seeing covers from a variety of artists, such as TV On The Radio, Kathy McCarthy, Kagoule, fIREHOSE, Sego, among others.
Famously, Pearl Jam performed the song at the 1994 Bridge School Benefit Concert. Eddie Vedder later opened his set with it at every show on his 2008 solo tour.
In an interview in 2009, Johnston explained the story behind the phrase “walking the cow”:
"There was that Borden ice cream that had the little girl walking the cow on the wrapper. I cut it out and glued it on my notebook. And later when I picked up my chord organ and started writing songs, I looked at that and I wrote down ‘walking the cow’, and when I’d finished I thought I’d done something pretty cool."
While Johnston told the interviewer it was Borden brand ice cream, it was likely Blue Bell.
Walking The Cow
Daniel Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But my feelings can't know for sure
Tried to reach out
But it's gone
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Tried to point my finger
But the wind was blowing me around
In circles
Circles
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
I really don't know what I have to fear
I really don't know what I have to care
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
The lyrics to Daniel Johnston's "Walking The Cow" are open to interpretation, but they seem to convey the singer's confusion and lack of direction in life. He tries to remember something important, to reach out to someone, but the feelings elude him, they're gone. He's lost and unsure of how he came to be where he is, or why he's staying there. The wind blows him in circles, and he tries to point his finger, but he can't find a way out. But there's something mysterious, almost mystical, about the lucky stars in the other person's eyes that keeps him going, that makes him feel like he's walking the cow.
The image of walking the cow is open to interpretation as well, but it might refer to the idea of following a path blindly, like a cow that goes where it's led without questioning. There's a sense of resignation and acceptance in the song, of surrendering to the unknown and the inexplicable. The singer doesn't know what he has to fear or care, but he keeps walking the cow, as if it's the only thing he can do.
Overall, "Walking the Cow" is a haunting and enigmatic song, with lyrics that suggest a deep sense of longing and confusion. It's a song about not knowing, about searching for something that's always out of reach, and about the strange and beautiful things that keep us going even when we're lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to remember
Attempt to recall a past event.
But my feelings can't know for sure
Despite trying to remember, emotions are unreliable in verifying the accuracy of memories.
Tried to reach out
Attempted to make a connection or seek help from someone else.
But it's gone
The support or connection they were seeking is no longer available or has disappeared.
Lucky stars in your eyes
Suggestive of a feeling of good fortune or destiny, as if things might have worked out differently if certain things had aligned.
I am walking the cow
I am metaphorically engaged in an aimless or foolish pursuit, like leading a cow on a leash.
I really don't know how I came here
I am unsure how I arrived in this situation or place.
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Despite being unsure of how they got there, they are also inexplicably unable to leave or make a change.
Oh, oh, oh
Exclamation expressing uncertainty, concern, or dismay.
Tried to point my finger
Attempted to blame or assign fault for a situation.
But the wind was blowing me around
Shifts in circumstances or variables beyond their control are influencing their perception or the outcome of the situation.
In circles
Repeating the same ineffective strategies or thought patterns over and over again.
I really don't know what I have to fear
I am uncertain of what danger or threat looms over them that might cause them harm.
I really don't know what I have to care
I am uncertain of what actions or decisions could improve their situation or if they even have the power to change it.
Oh, oh, oh
Exclamation expressing uncertainty, concern, or dismay.
I am walking the cow
I am still metaphorically engaged in an aimless or foolish pursuit, like leading a cow on a leash.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Johnston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@egg.8320
Lyrics so i could sing along everytime i come back.
Try to remember
But my feelings can't know for sure
Tried to reach out
But it's gone
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
I really don't know how I came here
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Tried to point my finger
But the wind was blowing me around
In circles
Circles
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
I really don't know what I have to fear
I really don't know what I have to care
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
@Qball914
I love how him smashing the keys adds a percussion effect
@MiaTheodoratus
I knew him in the 80’s in Austin and sometimes he would bang his foot....if I am remembering correctly that is actually banging on a surface.
@littlebosaMusic
@Mia Theodoratus yeah he's hitting a table
@MiaTheodoratus
@loganhunterMusic He would play it on the piano at Steves Ice Cream and bang on the piano.
@littlebosaMusic
@Mia Theodoratus Steve's ice cream, here I come
@albrechtnechtan9443
its a mellotron, that is part of the instrument
@paulc176
Your mind is finally at peace now Daniel, thank you for the music.
@gasmaskboi19371945
I am so fucking sad.
@vanillagorilla5398
Me too! I met him at a gig in Austin, he was a awesome person! RIP sir, you will be missed
@AndySalinger33
@gasmaskboi19371945 me too.