Cowboy Dan

Album: The Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song follows a pattern much like another track from the same CD - "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine". The song begins with the insinuation of bitterness or anger. It escalates into clear anger, then calms down and turns depressed. After some time of depression, it quickly turns back into anger for a memorable finish. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Andrew - Abyss, PA

Comments: 6

  • Jesse from San Antoino, Txpowerful lyrics
  • Robert from Beverly Hills, United StatesIsaac Brock has actually said this is one of his only songs that he wrote about a person he knew.
  • Mike from Willoughby, OhCowboy Dan is someone who has lost a major in possession in his life, likely his job. He feels it has been unfairly taken from him. Brock mentions he goes to "Reservation" to drink, like how Native Americans were said to be driven to drink "firewater" out of the despair that their land and way of life was being permanently taken by the ever-expanding American menace. He realizes he's in that downward spiral, despairing that things will never change from his current misfortune as he "Can't get that that engine turned over," so he seeks temporary escape in alcohol, where he turns into bleeding heart to whoever he's drinking with (probably strangers or himself, where he'd scream at God) and tells them all to watch out that there's not enough air for everyone to live and what happened to him will happen to them soon.

    On an somewhat related note, I had a dream where I was on the last day of my job at a restaurant and all of the restaurant patrons (all unrelated and strangers to me) started singing this song a cappella as I left the restaurant for the last time.
  • Marcus from Claremore, OkAnother fact
    this song was written after one of isaacs friends dad whose name happened to be Dan.

    HES GONNA START A WAR!!!
  • Karyn from Canadai love isaac brock
    = my hero .
  • Jeff from Barrington, IlI saw Modest Mouse in concert last weekend and they played this song. All the people who had never heard it before clapped when they thought the song was over, they ended up clapping three times before finally getting it right.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."