James And The Cold Gun

Album: The Kick Inside (1978)
Play Video
  • James, come on home
    You've been gone too long baby
    We can't let our hero die alone
    We miss you day and night
    You left town to live by the rifle
    You left us to fight
    But it just ain't right to take away the light

    Remember Genie, from the casino
    She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
    The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
    Till they get out of hand
    And wish they were dead
    They're only lonely for the life they led
    With their old friend
    Oh
    James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

    Where lies your heart?
    It's not there in the buckskin baby
    It's not there in the gin that makes you laugh long and loud

    You're a coward James
    You're running away from humanity
    You're running out on reality
    It won't be funny when they
    Rat-a-tat you down

    Remember Genie, from the casino
    She's still a-waiting in her big brass bed
    The boys from your gang are knocking whisky back
    Till they get out of hand
    And wish they were dead
    They're only lonely for the life they led
    With their old friend
    Oh
    James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun? Writer/s: KATE BUSH
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Andrew from London, United KingdomA bit of a stretch to link this song to James Bond. I always thought that this song was about an ex-gang leader from wild west times who has hit the bottle big time. His gang and his woman 'Jeannie' miss him and want him back.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.