Jovanotti, byname of Lorenzo Cherubini (born September 26, 1966) is an Ital… Read Full Bio ↴Jovanotti, byname of Lorenzo Cherubini (born September 26, 1966) is an Italian singer-songwriter and rapper.

He released his first albums under the Jovanotti byname to later switch into his real name (Lorenzo), as of the mid-nineties.

Most of his output is hip-hop influenced, although not most of his work should be viewed as hip hop music per se. Many of his songs are not hip hop related and may probably be best viewed as part of the earlier Italian cantautore tradition. Some of his earlier work is also closer to keyboard-heavy 1980s pop. Most of his songs are sung in the Italian language; he also released a Spanish-language greatest hits album. His live album includes a short version of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight". Jovanotti appears on several international compilations, most notably Red Hot + Rhapsody, a 1998 tribute to George Gershwin, on which he performed "I Got Rhythm". Jovanotti has also appeared in one Luciano Pavarotti's charity concert in 1996.

His CD, Buon Sangue, includes influences from both rock and old school hip hop. It is one of his most innovative works to date. Edoardo Bennato collaborated on one track, while bass player Saturnino co-wrote two of the songs.

One of his most recent CDs, "Ora", breaks new ground with a new style of production.

Cowboy
Jovanotti Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey bastardo;
Siamo ricercati in tutto il paese
Siamo sporchi, cattivi e la barba di un mese
Vivi o morti è lo stesso loro vogliono noi
Siamo nati a Sacramento e siamo cowboy
Siamo cowboy

Il mio nome rimbomba nelle sale da gioco

Quando entro nei posti tutti godono poco
Perché vinco ogni volta mi diverto a barare
E la gente ha paura
E mi lasciano fare
Siamo cowboy

Un milione di dollari sulla mia testa
Ma non mi acciufferanno ho la mano più lesta
Una mossa e sei morto non fate gli eroi
Siamo nati nel Texas e siamo cowboy

In città e nel deserto mi chiamano Jo
Il mio nome significa ti porterò
La mia casa è un cavallo colazione con whisky
Non guardarmi negli occhi non correre rischi
Siamo cowboy

Ma quel giorno in passato mi aspettava nascosto
Uno solo sarebbe vissuto in quel posto
Non c'è spazio per due lo capirete anche voi
Siamo uomini duri e siamo cowboy

Una stella dorata un fottuto bandito
Uno sguardo ghiacciato e la febbre sul dito
Un secondo uno sparo poi un altro poi basta
Uno solo rimane e comanda la festa
Siamo cowboy

Mi colpisce alla spalla io lo prendo sul braccio
Molto sangue la gente rimane di ghiaccio
Ci rialziamo da terra ci guardiamo fra noi

Meglio essere amici meglio esser cowboy
Siamo cowboy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jovanotti's song Cowboy follow the story of a group of outlaws, who call themselves cowboys. The song is an ode to the Wild West and the rugged individualism and freedom that is associated with it. The lyrics start with the main character addressing someone as 'bastard' and declaring that they are wanted all over the country. He mentions that they are dirty, mean, and have not shaved for a month. The outlaws do not care whether they live or die, they are proud to be cowboys, born in Sacramento.

The singer declares himself to be a skilled gambler and a cheater. His name echoes through the gaming halls, and people are afraid of him. He brags about his skills and his ability to outsmart others. He mentions that there's a bounty of one million dollars on his head, but he is too quick for them. He warns people not to be heroes, as they will not stand a chance against the cowboys, who were born in Texas.

The song takes a dramatic turn, as the singer recalls a past event where he had to fight another cowboy. Only one could survive, and they both knew it. They had a shoot-out, and the singer took a bullet in his shoulder. The other cowboy was dead, and the singer realizes that being friends and being cowboys is better than fighting each other. The lyrics end with the singer recounting how the cowboys rise from the ground, look at each other, and acknowledge the bond that they share.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey bastardo;
Starting the song with a strong and rebellious tone, addressing someone as a bastard.

Siamo ricercati in tutto il paese
We are wanted all over the country, being searched by authorities.

Siamo sporchi, cattivi e la barba di un mese
Being described as dirty, bad, and with a month-old beard, portraying a rough and tough image.

Vivi o morti è lo stesso loro vogliono noi
Expressing how authorities are after them, dead or alive, and their lives don't matter to them.

Siamo nati a Sacramento e siamo cowboy
Being born in Sacramento and calling themselves cowboys, referring to their rebel and outlaw nature.

Il mio nome rimbomba nelle sale da gioco
Stating how their name resonates in the gaming halls, hinting at their infamy.

Quando entro nei posti tutti godono poco
When they enter somewhere, people get nervous and uncomfortable, knowing they are in trouble.

Perché vinco ogni volta mi diverto a barare
They cheat to win, and they enjoy it, mocking the system and the people who play fairly.

E la gente ha paura
The people are scared of them, knowing they won't hesitate to cheat or harm them.

E mi lasciano fare
People don't confront them or try to stop them, letting them do as they please.

Siamo cowboy
Reasserting their cowboy identity and the untouchable and free spirit that comes with it.

Un milione di dollari sulla mia testa
A bounty of one million dollars on their head, indicating how wanted they are.

Ma non mi acciufferanno ho la mano più lesta
Stating how they won't be caught with their quick and skilled hand, indicating their resourcefulness.

Una mossa e sei morto non fate gli eroi
Metaphorically speaking, they are implying that anyone who crosses them will face their wrath and become their victim.

Siamo nati nel Texas e siamo cowboy
Reiterating their cowboy identity, mentioning Texas, a state famous for cowboys and gun-slinging.

In città e nel deserto mi chiamano Jo
Referring to how they are known as 'Jo' in both the city and the desert, indicating their widespread recognition.

Il mio nome significa ti porterò
Explaining how their name translates to 'I'll bring you', indicating their dominant and authoritative nature, and that they will always remain in control.

La mia casa è un cavallo colazione con whisky
Their home is a horse, and they drink whisky for breakfast, portraying a rough and rugged lifestyle.

Non guardarmi negli occhi non correre rischi
Advising someone not to look them in the eye, warning that it can put them in danger.

Ma quel giorno in passato mi aspettava nascosto
Recalling a past event where someone waited for them in hiding, hinting at their troubled past.

Uno solo sarebbe vissuto in quel posto
Stating how only one person could live in that place, indicating that they are not afraid to fight for survival.

Non c'è spazio per due lo capirete anche voi
There's no room for two people, indicating how they are territorial and won't back down from a fight.

Siamo uomini duri e siamo cowboy
Reasserting their cowboy identity and emphasizing their tough and not-to-be-messed-with nature.

Una stella dorata un fottuto bandito
A reference to a Western film's typical storyline, portraying them as a notorious and infamous outlaw.

Uno sguardo ghiacciato e la febbre sul dito
Describing how they look like they have a cold and icy gaze, and their finger is on the trigger, indicating their readiness to shoot.

Un secondo uno sparo poi un altro poi basta
Describing a shootout, where shots are fired one after another until one person is left standing, indicating the ruthlessness and brutality of such an event.

Uno solo rimane e comanda la festa
Stating how only one person remains and takes control of the situation after a shootout, indicating their dominance.

Siamo cowboy
Emphasizing their cowboy identity and how it's intrinsic to their being.

Mi colpisce alla spalla io lo prendo sul braccio
Being hit on the shoulder and taking it on the chin, indicating their physical and emotional resilience.

Molto sangue la gente rimane di ghiaccio
A lot of blood is spilled, and people are petrified, indicating how they can shock and disturb others around them.

Ci rialziamo da terra ci guardiamo fra noi
They get back up, look at each other, and acknowledge their toughness and shared experience.

Meglio essere amici meglio esser cowboy
Stating how it's better to be friends than foes and how it's always better to be a cowboy than anything else.

Siamo cowboy
Reiterating how they are cowboys and how it's what defines them.

Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS