Cowboy
The Nite-Liters Lyrics

The opening lines of the song paint a vivid picture of the urban landscape, capturing the singer's sense of displacement and unease in a city dominated by cold, gray buildings instead of the natural beauty of hills. The mention of steel and concrete closing in suggests a feeling of confinement and limitation. As the singer walks alone through the city, they are haunted by the faces of strangers, emphasizing their isolation.

The repetition of the word "cowboy" throughout the song suggests that the singer identifies with the archetype of the rugged, free-spirited cowboy. However, the line "can't run, can't hide, too late" reveals that the singer feels trapped and unable to escape their circumstances. It seems that they have reached a point where they can no longer avoid or evade the challenges they face. The phrase "to fight now, to die to try" implies a desperation to make a last-ditch effort to overcome the obstacles, even if it means putting their life on the line.

The line about the winds that "once blew free" now scattering dust to the sky symbolizes the loss of freedom and vitality. The winds, which were once untamed and refreshing, now only bring dust and decay. This further emphasizes the singer's feeling of being trapped and constrained in their environment.

Ultimately, the repeated refrain of "can't run, can't hide, too late" reinforces the theme of feeling trapped and unable to escape one's circumstances. The mention of fighting and dying to try suggests a sense of desperation and determination to break free, even if the odds seem stacked against them. The lyrics as a whole convey a sense of frustration and longing for a simpler, more authentic existence, free from the confines of the city and its cold, impersonal atmosphere.