The almost cinematic aspect of the rise is now oft-cited; how the plucky sisters who had worked as Jillaroos, fruit pickers, roustabouts, cattle ranch hands and even enrolled in a wool classing course, while playing country music at agricultural shows, rodeos, anywhere that would have them, landed themselves in the CMAA College of Country Music in Tamworth and at seminar on marketing and networking conducted by singer Adam Brand early in 2005. How they listened intently, took him at his word and handed over a copy of their independent album of covers and originals, Little Bit Rusty .As Sophie recalls: “I walked up to him and gave him a copy – He looked at it and he was like, oh yeah. He goes ‘I’m going to play it in my ute when I leave here’ and we were like, ‘yeah, right, he’s not going to listen to it’.”
He listened, Compass Brothers Records head Graham Thompson listened and, within what seemed not much more than weeks, chunks of Australia was listening to an album that shot straight to number three on the ARIA Country Charts (with Golden Guitar nominations to follow). There was an instant connection to two gifted creators who, as Susan Jarvis wrote in Capital News, “Have a knack of finding fresh ways of seeing the bush and new approaches to writing and singing about it.” Reviews flowed warm and constant. The Qantas inflight magazine told its international readers: “Australian rather than American accents, catchy tunes, great harmonies, lyrics that make you laugh (“gone like a beer on a Friday night”) and kick-arse rhythms.
Now, with a third album under their collective belt, it would be hard to find an Australian performance and recording act so true to its origins, so intuitively in touch with its audience and so able to meet its needs and desires.
There is nothing quite like the assurance of success – which has come in the shape of two albums that are amongst the very highest-sellers in their label’s catalogue “At the start we weren’t sure if we’d be taken as a joke or seriously” Sophie admits. “We’re a bit different – its a mixture of the traditional, of country rock, comedy and loud drinking songs.” Which is fairly to be expected from a couple of girls who came through adolescence listening to Slim Dusty, John Williamson, Chad Morgan and Johnny Cash on one hand and Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers on the other, and now enjoy the likes of Terri Clark, and Australian peers and comrades – Adam Brand, Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffreys, Melinda Schneider and Sara Storer.
That assurance has provided a solid base from which to prepare and offer an ambitious third album – Dust Will Settle. “This is our best yet” enthuses Sophie. “I’m excited and also a little nervous about it. This time around we’ve tried to steer a bit of a different course. Perhaps as we get older the songs are not so lighthearted, they’re more grown up. I hope they realise it’s still us, the same girls.”
Unmistakably so. Certainly the songs are as sprightly, energetic and engaging as those on the first two albums but with a greater depth and diversity. It’s very much a song driven album, with five of them penned by younger sister Celeste. “Celeste has a very exciting future as a writer,” said one recent reviewer and her big sister is not inclined to disagree. “She’s really growing as a writer,” observes an admiring Sophie. “They’re great songs, we were all happy to put them on.” She had begun her own writing odyssey early with some of the originals on Little Bit Rusty written when she was just 15. There’s a telling intuition that comes from “Growing up in the bush – it gives us a connection, we’re one of them.” And as she told Susan Jarvis after the second album Long Five Days in 2006, “We always write from what we know – feelings, experiences, stories we’ve heard – and we record in a way that reflects our live shows.”
Live performances – spirited and seductive – are pivotal to the Sunny Cowgirls sudden, inexorable rise. “We just love playing to huge crowds of country people because we feel right at home and they really relate to our music,” says Sophie. And played to them they have – at the Gympie Muster and two years running at the Deniliquin Ute Muster which they nominate as their prime concert memories. “We get a great reaction all over, and some places stand out, like Mackay and Toowoomba ...... and Mulgildie this little ghost town in Queensland. I suppose our core audience is the B&S Ball and Ute crowd. They’re mostly 18-25 and pretty wild but a lot of older people also come to our shows. So we do an acoustic sit-down set, tell stories.” Stories are drawn from a life that saw them grow up on the Sunninghill farm at Dunkeld in rural Victoria then shifting to Western Australia when Sophie was 12 and Celeste 8. At high school in Perth the sisters stood apart – “We were the only kids wearing Blunnies and stuff” Celeste once related. “We’ve never been into the city culture – it just doesn’t suit us. As soon as school was over we headed back to the bush”.
That’s essentially where they have stayed, spread out on acres with room for their beloved old Holden utes (as the bumper sticker seen on the cover of Little Bit Rusty declared: ‘A Woman’s Place Is In A Ute’). “Living in Tamworth we’re still able to go around the country” says Sophie. “The Central Coast, where a lot of Australian country artists are based, just didn’t work for us. We’ll always be country girls.”
Inspirational, role model ones too. “Young girls come and tell us they want to grow up and drive utes, have dogs, play guitar, sing songs, have lots of fun – just like us. Kids 4-5 know the words to all to our songs. It’s a bit of a worry because there’s a fair few drinking songs. Oh dear!” And now there’s the cheeky Naked, which was inspired by a song Sophie had heard by her old W.A. mate Courtney Murphy, I Think About You Naked. Oh dear, indeed.
Destined for much raucous recycling is anthem-on-the-rise – Live It Loud. “We know that’s going to really go off live” laughs Sophie, “Grog Monster and Dancing On The Darling too.” She nominates the affecting Pink Galah, which arrives at particularly satisfying time in her emotional life, as “the most personal song I’ve ever written. It came to me sitting on the verandah at home one day; I was thinking about how galahs and parrots have a life partner.” The album’s title track also has layers beyond the surface. “It actually refers to depression,” she reveals. “When you grow up in the county you see it around you. The effect of drought on people is not widely understood. But it’s not a depressing song; it’s a song about hope, about coming out the other side of trials because, in time, the dust will settle.”
Rabbit may have an obvious Australian connection but was in fact inspired by the works of a prim Englishwoman born in the century before last. “I’ve always had a thing about foxes and rabbits” details Sophie, “ever since I read the Beatrix Potter books when I as really young. Mr. Todd the fox scared me half to death but I never forgot him.” Celeste was similarly inspired to pen the sweetly serenading Kelpie, which was inspired by a poem she once came across. “Celeste is a mad kelpie lover,” confirms Sophie. ‘She’s always wanted to write a song about a dog and now she has, and it’s a really good one!”
Produced by Graham Thompson, who has one of the country’s best strike rates, Dust Will Settle is an elastic album that rolls out and over you. It concludes with a classic, though underheard, 60s hit that he suggested the girls work up as a duet with their mentor Adam Brand. Someday was a 1966 top ten solo hit by Tony Barber, guitarist for the original hit lineup of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs (He’d also penned that group’s first hit, Blue Day). It is a rollicking piece they can’t wait to take out on the road. “Someday is a super-fun song to sing,” confirms Sophie. “It’s always hard work but we really look forward to touring – to see what our audience gives back to us. I do find it hard to find time to write on the road, it gets stressful, but once we have the songs done all we want to do is play them to people. We get asked if we’re looking to go overseas and, while I guess I’m curious about Nashville and maybe going there to suss it out, there’s no real urge because the people we play to here can be so incredible.”
What becomes evident, when the Sunny Cowgirls get on a stage, is how much these two sisters (now 21 and 25) spark off each other. “We’re very happy people and we’re best mates - I hope that comes across on the album” says Sophie. “I may be four years older but I’m not the boss. ‘Less is good at giving it back!”
Gunshot
The Sunny Cowgirls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
AND HE COULD COOK HE HAD A FARM AND HE WAS FUNNY
IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS THINK I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE ONE
HEAD OVER HEELS I'M THINKING THINGS ARE GOING GREAT
UNTIL LAST NIGHT WHEN GET GOT HOME RATHER LATE
AND SAID I'VE HAD ENOUGH BUT IT'S BEEN FUN
LIKE A GUNSHOT HEADING FOR ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
AND I FELL DOWN WHEN THAT SILVER BULLET HIT ME
IT WAS A DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT COMING
WELL I COULDN'T MOVE I WAS IN SHOCK DID NOT BELIEVE IT
WHAT DID I DO THAT WAS SO WRONG TO MAKE YOU SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONE YOU'LL BE WITH TILL THE END
HE SAT ME DOWN GAVE ME A DRINK AND TOOK MY HAND
AND SAID I SWEAR THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN CAUSE I DIDN'T MEAN TO FALL FOR YOUR BESTFRIEND
LIKE A GUNSHOT HEADING FOR ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
I DID NOT EVEN THINK OF RUNNING
AND I FELL DOWN WHEN THAT SILVER BULLET HIT ME
IT WAS A DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT COMING
YOU THOUGHT HE WAS THE ONE AND YOU GAVE YOUR HEART FOR NOTHING
GET READY TO START RUNNING SO NEXT TIME YOU SEE IT COMING
LIKE A GUNSHOT HEADING FOR ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
I DID NOT EVEN THINK OF RUNNING
AND I FELL DOWN WHEN THAT SILVER BULLET HIT ME
IT WAS A DAMN BIG BANG AND DID NOT SEE IT
DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT
DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT COMING
The Sunny Cowgirls’ “Gunshot” tells the story of a woman who thought she had it all – a good looking and charming man who had a lot of money, owned a farm, and could cook. Everything seemed to be going great until one night when he came home late and told her that he had enough. She was devastated and did not understand what she did wrong to make him feel that way. The man then revealed that he had fallen for her best friend, leaving the woman feeling as though she was hit by a gunshot right between the eyes. The song highlights the feelings of shock, betrayal, and heartbreak that people experience when they find out that their significant other has been unfaithful.
The imagery of a gunshot is particularly interesting because it is sudden and unexpected, much like the pain the woman feels when her partner reveals his infidelity. The lyrics are also enhanced by the use of specific details such as the man’s good looks, charm, and cooking skills, which make his betrayal even more painful. Overall, “Gunshot” is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the human experience of heartbreak and betrayal.
Line by Line Meaning
HE HAD THE LOOKS HE HAD THE CHARM HE HAD THE MONEY
He seemed to have everything I am looking for - good looks, charm and wealth.
AND HE COULD COOK HE HAD A FARM AND HE WAS FUNNY
In addition to those qualities, he could also cook well, had a farm, and had a sense of humor.
IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS THINK I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE ONE
After two years of searching for a partner, I thought I had finally found the one I could spend my life with.
HEAD OVER HEELS I'M THINKING THINGS ARE GOING GREAT
I was deeply in love and thought that our relationship was going perfectly.
UNTIL LAST NIGHT WHEN GET GOT HOME RATHER LATE
However, last night he came home late and things took a turn for the worse.
AND SAID I'VE HAD ENOUGH BUT IT'S BEEN FUN
He told me that he had enough of our relationship but admitted that he had a good time.
LIKE A GUNSHOT HEADING FOR ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
The news of him wanting to end our relationship hit me hard and abruptly, like a bullet shot straight between the eyes.
I DID NOT EVEN THINK OF RUNNING
I was so devastated by the news that the thought of running away from the situation did not even cross my mind.
AND I FELL DOWN WHEN THAT SILVER BULLET HIT ME
I was completely overwhelmed by the shock and surprise of him wanting to end things; it felt like a silver bullet that struck me down.
IT WAS A DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT COMING
The news hit me like a loud, sudden and unexpected bang that I did not anticipate.
WELL I COULDN'T MOVE I WAS IN SHOCK DID NOT BELIEVE IT
I was so shocked by his revelation that I couldn't move and could not believe what was happening.
WHAT DID I DO THAT WAS SO WRONG TO MAKE YOU SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONE YOU'LL BE WITH TILL THE END
I was confused and couldn't understand what I did wrong to make him realize that he does not want to spend his life with me.
HE SAT ME DOWN GAVE ME A DRINK AND TOOK MY HAND
He tried to comfort me by sitting me down, giving me a drink, and holding my hand.
AND SAID I SWEAR THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN CAUSE I DIDN'T MEAN TO FALL FOR YOUR BESTFRIEND
He explained that the reason he wanted to break up was because he had unintentionally fallen in love with my best friend, which was not part of his plan.
YOU THOUGHT HE WAS THE ONE AND YOU GAVE YOUR HEART FOR NOTHING
I had thought that he was the one, and it felt like everything I had given in our relationship was for nothing.
GET READY TO START RUNNING SO NEXT TIME YOU SEE IT COMING
The song advises that in the future, I should be prepared to move on as soon as I sense that a relationship is coming to an end.
DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT
The phrase reiterates the initial shock and surprise of the breakup, like a huge, unforeseen explosion.
DAMN BIG BANG AND I DID NOT SEE IT COMING
The phrase reiterates the initial shock and surprise of the breakup, like a huge, unforeseen explosion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomasemery6191
Wow?! I love ❤ cheesey cowboy Western music with such a proudly broad Australian accent!😊
@jona5517
As a Yank, I love this!
@deanvarra877
Wow I love this song . These young ladies are awesome 😊😊!!
@jamesmoyer2997
Now that's real country!!! Well done ladies!!
@tarmicaada4669
i listen to this song like a hundred times that's how much I love it
@tanyaryman7598
This is the song that first introduced me to The Sunny Cowgirls....they are now my favourite country music artist ever my love for them is bordering on obsession lol
@iuriecolosenco9809
I love cowbou !!
@zaphrianaconnor4974
Very fine! Thanks for this! Greetings from Germany
@princejamesbindu2993
And love your music. I like being a cowboy. Sweet music like this so mwaaaa
@breezyaria
now what
is dis