From his website,
John Corbett asks one favor: Listen to the music first.
An esteemed actor known for his naturalness in off-beat roles, Corbett accepts that his first album will be met with excitement by some, skepticism by others. He wants both camps to put aside preconceptions—and put on the music.
As an actor, Corbett’s always brought an easy grace to his roles, whether it’s in the acclaimed TV series Sex and the City and Northern Exposure or in the hit films My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Raising Helen. His music carries the same natural, down-to-earth spirit—only this is not role-playing.
“Music has always been central to my life, much more so than acting,” he says. “Acting is how I make my living. Music has always been a passion—it’s something I love, something I can’t live without.”
He grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia, a blue-collar mining and steel mill town on the Ohio River that’s famous as a music center. John and his mother lived in an apartment five blocks from The Capitol Music Hall, home to the Wheeling Jamboree—now known as Jamboree USA. The live Saturday country music show is the second longest continuing running live radio broadcast, after Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
Last Stand
John Corbett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw a young gunslinger with something to prove
And I came looking, like anybody else
Came searching, like anybody else
Looking for that golden calf
I came shooting for the stars, like any youngblood
Found a fat-cat city and a crooked judge
Killed anything till I layed my hands
Layed them on that golden calf
Now it's my last stand in open country
This is my last chance to be with you
This is the last dance, oh, for this kind of man
And I'm still looking for something to prove
I come around full circle, aged like an old dog
Looking at them young bucks, green as frogs
I ain't layin' back, no time to laugh
I ain't layin' back, there's a new kid coming
Gunning for that golden calf
I was looking for America in a western movie,
Saw a young gunslinger with something to prove
He was headed down that dusty path
He was headed down to that bloodbath
Chasing down that golden calf
Now it's my last stand in open country
This is my last chance to be with you
This is the last dance, oh, for this kind of man
And I'm still looking for something to prove
But there's always someone faster,
Someone quicker on the draw
Someone with a hunger closing in
Someone younger stepping up to be the best outlaw
This my last stand in open country
This is my last chance to be with you
This is the last dance, oh, for this kind of man
And I'm still looking for something to prove
Yeah I'm still looking for something to prove
This my last stand in open country
This is my last chance to be with you
This is my last stand,
Yeah this is my last stand
This is my last stand
In John Corbett's song "Last Stand," the singer expresses his search for the American Dream within the romanticized version of the Old West. He fantasizes about being the young gunslinger, hungry for success and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. He describes himself as having come full circle, now looking at the younger generation with envy as they pursue their own version of this dream. Throughout the song, the metaphor of the golden calf is used to represent success and wealth, and the singer is determined to obtain it, regardless of the consequences.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer's quest for the golden calf has come at a great cost. He has killed anyone who stood in his way and has become the sort of person he initially admired in the western movies. He is now facing his last stand, his final chance to be with the woman he loves and to prove himself. The realization that there will always be someone faster and hungrier than him has dawned on the singer. This last stand, therefore, is more than just a physical battle; it is a battle for his soul.
In "Last Stand," John Corbett creates a poignant narrative that explores the cost of the American Dream, the impact of time and age, and the search for validation. By using western movie imagery, the song captures the romanticized but ultimately destructive nature of the pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
I was looking for America in a western movie,
I was searching for the ideal version of America that we see in Western movies.
Saw a young gunslinger with something to prove
I witnessed a young, ambitious gunman who wanted to prove himself to the world.
And I came looking, like anybody else
And I was like any other person searching for something meaningful in life.
Came searching, like anybody else
Arrived searching for something like any other person.
Looking for that golden calf
Searching for that thing or idea that epitomizes the perfect America.
I came shooting for the stars, like any youngblood
I aimed for the highest heights like any ambitious young man.
Found a fat-cat city and a crooked judge
Discovered a dishonest, corrupt city and legal system.
And I killed anything standing in my path
Destroyed anything blocking my path to success.
Killed anything till I layed my hands
Eliminated anything obstructing me until I finally secured
Layed them on that golden calf
my ideal version of America.
Now it's my last stand in open country
I’ve reached my last chance to prove myself out in the open, uncharted lands of America.
This is my last chance to be with you
This is the final moment I’ll have with you.
This is the last dance, oh, for this kind of man
This is the final performance for someone like me.
And I'm still looking for something to prove
I'm still seeking to demonstrate myself.
I come around full circle, aged like an old dog
I’ve come full circle, aged like an old dog, to see the next generation.
Looking at them young bucks, green as frogs
Observing the untested youth who remind me of myself.
I ain't layin' back, no time to laugh
I’m not relaxing or wasting time on unimportant matters.
There's a new kid coming
A new, young competitor is approaching.
Gunning for that golden calf
Also seeking for that perfect version of America that I once dreamed of.
But there's always someone faster,
There's always someone quicker, or better, or more ambitious.
Someone quicker on the draw
Someone who's better at seizing opportunities faster than I am.
Someone with a hunger closing in
Someone driven to succeed who's closing in on my dreams.
Someone younger stepping up to be the best outlaw
A young and ambitious competitor is rising up to become the ultimate rebel and achieve greatness.
This my last stand
This is my final, and most important stand.
Yeah this is my last stand
Yes, this is my final test.
This is my last stand
I'm taking my final stand.
Contributed by Jordyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.