The core lineup of the band:
Brandon Phillips - guitar, lead vocals
Zach Phillips - bass, lead vocals
Adam Phillips - percussions
past members for both The Gadjits and the early years of The Architects:
Heidi Blobaum - keyboard
Hilary Allen - keys/organ, backup vox
Ehren Starks (The Belles, The Roseline) - keyboard
Adrianne Verhoven (The Anniversary, Dri) - keyboard
Cowboys Always Win
The Gadjits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd have your head and hands cut off
You'd better be turning tail
Cause I can see right through your veil
Your tangled web is just one thread
Illusion of distance by not being true
But if I can get past my limitations as a fly
I could trace it back to you
I heard cowboys always win
I didn't think I'd be the loser
If I always played the Indian
You waited 'til you had three queens
I trusted you when you said it was just a game
playing out perverse fantasies
It was morbid enough and then you kicked away the ladder
I'm two feel tall and you're having fun
Continued driving nails with the wreaths already hung
Unfortunately for me I remember everything
And it's hard to forget long enough to enjoy abusing anything
In the song "Cowboys Always Win" by The Gadjits, the lyrics delve into themes of betrayal, deception, and power struggles. The opening lines reference Islamic law and the severe punishment for dishonesty, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The lines "Illusion of distance by not being true / But if I can get past my limitations as a fly / I could trace it back to you" suggest that the singer is aware of the lies being told and can see through the façade. However, the lyrics also allude to the idea that the singer may not be able to fully comprehend the situation, as they compare themselves to a fly - a small, insignificant creature.
The chorus "I heard cowboys always win / I didn't think I'd be the loser / If I always played the Indian" seems to suggest that the singer feels as though they have been outsmarted by their adversary. The idea of cowboys always winning could be a metaphor for societal power dynamics, where those in positions of authority always come out on top. The singer's reference to playing the Indian could suggest an attempt to resist conformity and the power structures that hold them down, but ultimately they still end up losing the game.
The rest of the lyrics depict a situation where the singer has been betrayed by someone they trusted. The idea of waiting until one has "three queens" could be seen as a metaphor for being in a position of power, as having three queens in a game of cards could suggest having a strong hand. The line "And it's hard to forget long enough to enjoy abusing anything" implies that the singer is struggling to move on from the betrayal and may be tempted to seek revenge, but ultimately they choose not to.
Overall, "Cowboys Always Win" explores complex themes of power, deception, and betrayal in a thought-provoking way.
Line by Line Meaning
Under Islamic law
In a society that follows strict rules and laws
You'd have your head and hands cut off
Punishments are severe and sometimes violent
You'd better be turning tail
It's best to retreat and avoid danger
Cause I can see right through your veil
I can see through your deception and lies
Your tangled web is just one thread
Your complicated scheme is actually quite simple
Illusion of distance by not being true
Your false sense of separation is not real
But if I can get past my limitations as a fly
If I could overcome my weaknesses and limitations
I could trace it back to you
I could uncover your hidden motives and intentions
I heard cowboys always win
I heard that those with power and control always succeed
I didn't think I'd be the loser
I never expected to be the one who loses
If I always played the Indian
If I always took the role of the underdog
You waited 'til you had three queens
You waited until you had the upper hand
I trusted you when you said it was just a game
I believed you when you said it was harmless
Playing out perverse fantasies
Acting out disturbing and twisted desires
It was morbid enough and then you kicked away the ladder
It was already disturbing, and then you made it worse
I'm two feel tall and you're having fun
I feel small and powerless, while you enjoy yourself
Continued driving nails with the wreaths already hung
Continuing to cause damage and destruction even when it's not necessary
Unfortunately for me I remember everything
Unfortunately for me, I can't forget anything
And it's hard to forget long enough to enjoy abusing anything
It's difficult to forget long enough to take pleasure in causing harm
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.