Grammy winner and 7 time Grammy nominee Paula Cole has released six solo albums spanning an eighteen year career. She has sold approximately three million albums and has performed with icons in many genres of music from Peter Gabriel to Dolly Parton (and many more.) Coleโs emotionally deep and thrilling performances are a trademark. Poetic and fiercely touching, intelligent writing makes Cole stand apart. Her compositions have been covered by Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee to name a few. From a small town in Massachusetts Paula Cole was raised in a musical family with whom she and her daughter remain close. Cole is a scholarship alumna from Berklee College of Music with a background in jazz, received her first record deal with a jazz label (which she declined), and has collaborated with many jazz artists. Paula teaches and gives clinics in a spirit of giving back to the circle of music. With a loving allegiance to her fans, she maintains loyal communication online and after her live shows. As the first woman in history to solely produce and receive the best Producer Grammy nomination for her work, โThis Fireโ, Cole has broken boundaries with a searcherโs spirit. From her top ten hits of the 1990โs to her more recent critically acclaimed albums, Paula Cole continues to write, produce, record and perform heartfelt, meaningful, lasting music that defies categorization.
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone ?
Paula Cole Lyrics
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Why don't we go sit down in the shade
Take shelter on my front porch
The dandy lion sun scorching
Like a glass of cold lemonade
I will do the laundry
If you pay all the bills
Where is my prairie song
Where is my happy ending
Where have all the cowboys gone
Why don't you stay the evening
Kick back and watch the TV
And I'll fix a little something to eat
Oh I know your back hurts from working on the tractor
How do you take your coffee my sweet
I will raise the children
If you pay all the bills
Where is my John Wayne
Where is my prairie song
Where is my happy ending
Where have all the cowboys gone
I am wearing my new dress tonight
But you don't, but you don't even notice me
Say goodbyes
Say goodbyes
Say goodbyes
We finally sell the Chevy
When we had another baby
And you took the job in Tennessee
You made friends at the farm
And you joined them at the bar
Almost every single day of the week
I will wash the dishes
While you go have a beer
Where is my John Wayne
Where is my prairie song
Where is my happy ending
Where have all the cowboys gone
Where is my Marlboro man
Where is his shiny gun
Where is my lonely ranger
Where have all the cowboys gone
Where have all the cowboys gone
Where have all the cowboys gone
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
In Paula Cole's song "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?", the lyrics tell the story of a woman who is longing for the days of the "cowboy" archetype. She fantasizes about a simpler time when men were rugged, strong, and confident, and took care of their women. The opening lines set the scene, as the singer imagines herself in a vintage Chevy with her man, seeking relief from the hot sun. She offers to do the laundry in exchange for him paying the bills - an arrangement that speaks to the traditional gender roles of the past.
Throughout the song, the singer laments the loss of the classic "cowboy" figure, asking, "Where is my John Wayne?" and "Where is my Marlboro man?" She feels unappreciated and overlooked as her partner goes about his day-to-day life, barely acknowledging her presence. She longs for a happy ending and a return to the days when things were simpler and men were strong and dependable. However, by the end of the song, she has resigned herself to her lot in life, accepting that she will do the dishes while her man goes off to the bar.
Overall, "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" is a wistful tribute to a bygone era, and a commentary on the changing roles and expectations of men and women in modern society.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you get me ready in your 56 Chevy
You prepare me for our time together by picking me up in your 1956 Chevy
Why don't we go sit down in the shade
Let's find a comfortable spot to spend time together out of the sun
Take shelter on my front porch
Let's relax on my front porch and escape from the heat outdoors
The dandy lion sun scorching
The sun is blazing hot like the intensity of a lion's roar
Like a glass of cold lemonade
This moment in the shade is as refreshing as a glass of cold lemonade
I will do the laundry
I'll take care of the household chores
If you pay all the bills
But I need you to financially support our household expenses
Where is my John Wayne
Where is the strong and reliable man who can come to my rescue like the famous movie character?
Where is my prairie song
Where is the romantic and adventurous tale set in the Western Plains that celebrates our love story?
Where is my happy ending
Where is the resolution that brings us to our happily-ever-after like in a fairy tale?
Where have all the cowboys gone
Where have all the dependable and chivalrous men who embody the Western spirit disappeared to?
Why don't you stay the evening
Why don't you spend more time with me and stay over?
Kick back and watch the TV
We can relax, unwind and watch television together
And I'll fix a little something to eat
I'll prepare a light meal for us to enjoy
Oh I know your back hurts from working on the tractor
I understand that your body is in pain from working hard on the farm equipment
How do you take your coffee my sweet
Tell me how you prefer your coffee, my dear partner
I will raise the children
I'll take on the parent role and make sure our children are well taken care of
If you pay all the bills
But I need you to provide financial support for our household expenses
I am wearing my new dress tonight
I'm all dressed up and looking good for you tonight
But you don't, but you don't even notice me
But sadly, you don't seem to pay attention to me or take notice of my efforts
Say goodbyes
We need to bid farewell to each other
We finally sell the Chevy
We sell our car to make ends meet
When we had another baby
When we had another child to take care of
And you took the job in Tennessee
You accepted a job in another state to support our family
You made friends at the farm
You found new companionship at the farm you work at
And you joined them at the bar
You frequently hang out with your new friends at the local bar
Almost every single day of the week
You spend a lot of time with your friends instead of being with me and our family
I will wash the dishes
I'll take care of the household chores like washing dishes
While you go have a beer
While you go out to socialize and drink beer with your friends
Where is my Marlboro man
Where is the rugged and strong man who embodies an iconic cigarette brand image?
Where is his shiny gun
Where is the symbol of his strong masculinity, his shiny gun?
Where is my lonely ranger
Where is the lone figure who travels and saves people in the West?
Where have all the Cowboys gone
Where have all the reliable and traditional men, with a heart of the Old West disappeared to?
Yippee yo, yippee yeah
An exclamation of enthusiasm and excitement for the possible return of the cowboys
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAULA COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind