Her eponymous debut album was released to major acclaim in 1971 and was followed two years later by Heart Food. She recorded demos for a third album in 1974 and they were released in 2005 under the title Dreams Come True.
Sill was heavily influenced by Bach's metric forms and suites, while lyrically her work drew substantially on Christian themes of rapture and redemption.
Judee's father and brother both died in separate incidents when Judee was quite young. Her mother's subsequent marriage to Tom and Jerry animator Kenneth Muse was marked by heavy drinking, and this, combined with her rebellious nature, drove her away from home and into a life of crime and drug use in her teens.
Having learned her signature gospel-inflected keyboard style during her incarceration for writing bad checks, Sill kicked her heroin addiction and decided to pursue songwriting. Now a talented pianist, organist and guitarist, Sill returned to the West Coast where she encountered Graham Nash and David Crosby (touring with them for a time as their opening act) and David Geffen who offered her a contract with his nascent label. Her albums were received well by critics but found little commercial success. Judee struggled with drug addiction during phases again following a car accident and its resulting physical pain and dropped out of the music scene and died of a drug overdose in November of 1979.
It was through Geffen that she met Graham Nash, who quickly became a fan, and produced the first single for her album, "Jesus Was a Cross Maker." The rest of Judee Sill was orchestrated and produced by Bob Harris, Sill's ex-husband. Judee Sill was released in 1971 to immediate acclaim. Lushly orchestrated, the album featured Sill's voice in multiple overdubs, often in a four-part chorale or fugue. The album fit in well with the light rock/folk-rock underpinnings of what came to be known as the "Laurel Canyon sound" associated with other female singer-songwriters such as Carole King and Joni Mitchell (Mitchell, also signed to Asylum, was at work on Ladies of the Canyon at the time). A tour as the opening act for Nash and David Crosby exposed her intimate songwriting and skillful guitar playing to a larger audience, but her record failed to make much of an impact, despite the somewhat heavy airplay of "Jesus Was a Cross Maker." A self-professed perfectionist, one song could often take her a year to write, and it wasn't until late 1972 that Sill returned to record and release her second and last album, Heart Food. It too received enthusiastic reviews but did poorly commercially. Sill took over the chores of both orchestrating and arranging Heart Food, with the production relying more heavily on multilayered strings and lush expanse. Unable to draw a sizable crowd yet unwilling to play as a support act, Sill's name and moderate fame both receded, and she disappeared from view entirely. Rumors abound as to what happened next, although it is definitely known that she returned to her heroin addiction as well as becoming heavily involved with cocaine. Graham Nash has said that he learned as early as 1974 that Sill had died of an overdose, a claim that would later prove to be incorrect, but considering how closely the two had worked only a few years earlier it does illustrate just how completely Sill had dropped out by this time.
Her first success was the selling of her song "Lady-O" to The Turtles. Long after her death, she has been lauded by many musicians, including Jim O'Rourke who mixed the posthumous collection of unreleased material, Dreams Come True. Her two original albums have been reissued as a double CD with a number of live recordings and demos as bonus tracks.
The Phantom Cowboy
Judee Sill Lyrics
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His trail of dust is in my dreams
With an eagle on his shoulder through the clouds he glides
And sprints across the spatial streams
But the ledge is steep, and the light is dark, still I see him leap
And he keeps on headin' for a star
That's not very far, he's travelin' on a sliver filigree
I waved my hand to flag him down
I always hope to catch him but he just can't wait
He's nor allowed to reach the ground
But his touch can heal, When the light is dark, desn't need a shield
Cuz he keeps on headin' for a star
That's not very far, he likes it all just because it's real
Tho' I'm sittin' in the grit and grime
The spark of hope is in me strong
I'm gonna try to get there in the nick of time
And maybe I can ride along
If I have no fear
when the light is dark
I can feel you near
Tho' you keep on headin' for a star
That's not very far, please don't forgit
If your way is clear, I'll be waiting here
The song "The Phantom Cowboy" by Judee Sill is a ballad that describes the journey of a phantom cowboy who is depicted as a heroic figure who travels through space on a sliver filigree, leaving a trail of dust in the singer's dreams. The cowboy is metaphysical rather than physical, like a spirit or wandering soul. He carries an eagle on his shoulder through the clouds and sprints across spatial streams. He strives to reach a star that is just beyond his grasp, and despite the steep ledge and dark light, he keeps on heading towards it.
The singer seems to be obsessed with the phantom cowboy and has been waiting at the eastern gate, trying to flag him down. Despite her efforts, the cowboy has not stopped because he is not allowed to reach the ground. The cowboy's touch can heal, and even in the darkest light, he doesn't need a shield. The singer hopes to join him on his journey to the star, but she knows she must face adversity first. She resolves to overcome her fears and wait for the cowboy to return for her.
"The Phantom Cowboy" is a melancholic hymn about hope and perseverance. It is a mystical journey that traverses both the physical and the metaphysical realms. The song is a powerful illustration of the human struggle to connect with the divine, the unknown, the supernatural forces that move beyond our control.
Line by Line Meaning
I have seen the phantom cowboy ride
I have experienced a vision of a mysterious, elusive cowboy
His trail of dust is in my dreams
Even in my subconscious, I am able to perceive his presence
With an eagle on his shoulder through the clouds he glides
He soars through the sky, accompanied by a symbolic bird that represents freedom and power
And sprints across the spatial streams
He moves quickly and with purpose through the vast, uncharted areas beyond our understanding
But the ledge is steep, and the light is dark, still I see him leap
Despite the difficulty and danger of his journey, he possesses an unwavering determination and resilience
And he keeps on headin' for a star
His ultimate goal is something lofty and ambitious, something that most people would never even attempt to pursue
That's not very far, he's travelin' on a sliver filigree
Although what he aims to achieve may seem far out of reach or unrealistic, he proceeds along a path that is delicately crafted and exquisitely detailed
I've been waitin' at the eastern gate
I have positioned myself in a place where I hope to intercept his journey
I waved my hand to flag him down
I have attempted to grab his attention, to signal that I am ready to accompany him on his journey
I always hope to catch him but he just can't wait
Despite my eagerness to join him, he is on a tight schedule and must continue on his way without delay
He's nor allowed to reach the ground
He is not bound by the same earthly limitations that constrain most of us
But his touch can heal, When the light is dark, desn't need a shield
Despite his ethereal nature, he possesses a powerful, restorative energy that he can administer without fear or vulnerability
Cuz he keeps on headin' for a star
His focus remains fixed on his distant goal, despite any distractions or obstacles that may arise
That's not very far, he likes it all just because it's real
Despite the seemingly fantastical nature of his journey, he derives meaning and fulfillment from its authenticity and impact on the world around him
Tho' I'm sittin' in the grit and grime
Despite my comparatively mundane and unexciting circumstances, I remain hopeful and inspired by his example
The spark of hope is in me strong
I possess a persistent optimism that is fueled by my appreciation for his enigmatic presence
I'm gonna try to get there in the nick of time
I am motivated to take action and attempt to join him, even if it means overcoming significant obstacles or uncertainties
And maybe I can ride along
I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to accompany him on his journey, even if only temporarily
If I have no fear
I understand that fear or doubt may prevent me from seizing an opportunity to join him
when the light is dark
When circumstances are challenging or seemingly hopeless, it can be particularly difficult to find the courage to take a risk
I can feel you near
Despite the apparent distance or separation between us, I perceive a sense of closeness or connection to him
Tho' you keep on headin' for a star
Even as he continues his journey, he remains a source of inspiration and inspiration for me
That's not very far, please don't forgit
Although his ultimate destination may seem far removed from my own humble aspirations, I ask that he remember the impact he has on those around him
If your way is clear, I'll be waiting here
I am willing to remain steadfast in my commitment and await the moment when it is possible to join him on his journey
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JUDEE SILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind