Space Cowboy
Steve Miller Band - Steve Band Miller Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I told you 'bout living in the U.S. of A.
Don't you know that I'm a gangster of love
Let me tell you people that I found a new way
And I'm tired of all this talk about love
And the same old story with a new set of words
About the good and the bad and the poor
And the times keep on changin'
So I'm keepin' on top
Of every fat cat who walks through my door

I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I was born on this rock
And I've been travelin' through space
Since the moment I first realized
What all you fast talkin' cats would do if you could
You know, I'm ready for the final surprise
There ain't no way around it
Ain't nothing to say
That's gonna satisfy my soul deep inside
All the prayers and surveyors
Keep the whole place uptight
While it keeps on gettin' darker outside

I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy
I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I see the show downs, slow downs, lost and found, turn arounds
The boys in the military shirts
I keep my eyes on the prize, on the long fallen skies
And I don't let my friends get hurt
All you back room schemers, small trip dreamers
Better find something new to say
Cause you're the same old story
It's the same old crime
And you got some heavy dues to pay

I'm a space cowboy
Bet you weren't ready for that
I'm a space cowboy




I'm sure you know where it's at
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steve Miller Band's song "Space Cowboy" tell the story of a man who has found a new way of living, one that is not about love or following the same old story. He sees the world through a different lens and views it with a sense of detachment. He has become a space cowboy, an individual who can see beyond the surface of things and thinks for himself. The lyrics reference the changing times and how he is keeping on top of them, never letting the fat cats of the world take advantage of him.


The second verse continues the space cowboy metaphor, saying that he was born on this rock (Earth) but has been traveling through space ever since. He understands the true nature of mankind and is ready for the final surprise, which is most likely a reference to death. He sees the whole world as uptight, with people always praying and surveying, while the darkness looms on the outside.


Line by Line Meaning

I told you 'bout living in the U.S. of A.
I previously shared with you about my life in the United States of America.


Don't you know that I'm a gangster of love
I am a skilled lover and charming individual.


Let me tell you people that I found a new way
I discovered a fresh approach to life.


And I'm tired of all this talk about love
I am weary of hearing about the topic of love.


And the same old story with a new set of words
People continuously retell the familiar love story using different terminology.


About the good and the bad and the poor
The story of love includes people of all kinds of character and social status.


And the times keep on changin'
The world is constantly evolving.


So I'm keepin' on top
I am making sure to stay ahead of the game.


Of every fat cat who walks through my door
I am taking advantage of every wealthy person who comes into my life.


I'm a space cowboy
I am a unique individual.


Bet you weren't ready for that
You probably did not expect that about me.


I'm sure you know where it's at
You probably understand what I mean.


I was born on this rock
I was born on Earth.


And I've been travelin' through space
I have been living my life in a vast, ever-changing world.


Since the moment I first realized
Since the moment I first understood.


What all you fast talkin' cats would do if you could
I am aware of the dishonesty and deceit that exists in the world.


You know, I'm ready for the final surprise
I am prepared for the ultimate eventuality.


There ain't no way around it
It is inevitable, there is no escaping it.


Ain't nothing to say
There is nothing to express.


That's gonna satisfy my soul deep inside
Nothing will completely fulfill me at a soul level.


All the prayers and surveyors
Religious leaders and poll takers.


Keep the whole place uptight
They contribute to keeping people nervous and worried.


While it keeps on gettin' darker outside
The world continues to get more complicated and gloomy.


I see the show downs, slow downs, lost and found, turn arounds
I am familiar with all kinds of situations, including confrontations, delays, discoveries, and reversals.


The boys in the military shirts
The armed forces.


I keep my eyes on the prize, on the long fallen skies
I am focused on my goals and aspirations, even on the most difficult days.


And I don't let my friends get hurt
I make sure to protect my loved ones.


All you back room schemers, small trip dreamers
Those who plan secretly and those who have limited ambitions.


Better find something new to say
You need to change your ways and come up with something original.


Cause you're the same old story
Your behavior is predictable and boring.


It's the same old crime
Your actions are unethical and illegal.


And you got some heavy dues to pay
You will face the consequences of your actions.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEVE MILLER, BEN SIDRAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@davidoran123

got this album for my 16th birthday in 1969. Instantly became a Space Cowboy.

@karlfisher1864

Excellent Steve Miller album. I still have this. Karl

@Xix1326

Back in '70 this was the signature song of my high school band. I arranged it to include a horn section, BS&T/Chicago style. I played bass and sang lead. Great song.

@artbagley1406

Would love to hear the horn accompaniment, Xix1326. Sorry to see so many Steve Miller YouTube entries with only "The Joker." SM has so many other rockin' tunes that should not be forgotten on the shelves of music history (same goes for Fleetwood Mac, especially their "Kiln House" album). The first two albums I ever bought were Miller's "Sailor" and "Children of the Future," in their purple double-pack.

@hmackie6823

2 Drummers,about 5 or 6 years b4 I played,arranged Santana's "Soul Sacrifice" for the Clawson Symphony Band and it was recorded a couple years later,when my oldest brother played trombone.My parents bought one album for each of our Grandparents,yet not one for themselves.Am still searching for it,nearly 53 years later.

@matthewkelly6997

Nice. Musta been Cali or someplace like that😎

@gregboardman915

Early Steve Miller music was so underrated .

@jerryhoward8133

This song is so amazing. Pure energy and righteousness. Steve Miller is a warrior and continues his amazing journey into the future. The guitar work is superlative. Very cool vibe and lyrics.

@davidiverson2541

Right on.

@coreymihailiuk5189

Amen!

More Comments

More Versions