Pull up my pants Now the camera crew has gone
In your statement to the police
Tell them how you turned me on

But you were such an ugly child
You were such an awkward child
You were such a stupid child
We should've cottoned on

Alan is a cowboy killer

Take up tai chi
Now your favourite pet has died
We had crazy fucking times
'Till her visa card expired

But you were such an ugly child
You were such an awkward child
You were such a stupid child
We should've cottoned on

Alan is a cowboy killer

Wipe up his mess
Pay your fluffers by the yard
How you're paying for your peace
How you're paying for your peace

But you were such an ugly child
You were such an awkward child
You were such a stupid child
We should've cottoned on

That Alan is a cowboy killer

Alan is a cowboy killer


Lyrics submitted by Psychedeliasmith

Alan Is A Cowboy Killer song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

15 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    My Interpretation

    I agree with Balial mostly. I love this song so much my interpretation may be more like a dissertation.

    But I think the point of view and the gender of the child is unclear in certain parts. The song makes more sense to me if the child was male. My language reflects the song's point of view and not mine. For the record; sex with children is wrong. And this is a very, very, sad song.

    Obviously the first part is from the pov of the molester, Alan; "Pull up my pants Now the camera crew has gone" The obvious, but also Alan, the molester, saying 'I'm done with you, you have no other use' "In your statement to the police" -I don't think the Alan was found out. I think this is just another power trip. Like, he's saying 'I care so little about you, about this, I don't care if you tell, you're that unimportant.' "Tell them how you turned me on"- Alan reinforcing/reminding the child that it was the child's fault, until the child believes it.

    "But you were such an ugly child You were such an awkward child You were such a stupid child We should've cottoned on" The pov of this part is tricky. I think this is what the child thinks others, parents/caregivers etc, would think if they found out. He takes these things about himself as universal truths. The child has been brainwashed. And he doesn't tell; he believes it's his fault. He thinks sex was the only thing he was good for and his caregivers should've known why Alan was in the picture.

    "Alan is a cowboy killer" Alan destroyed the ability for this boy to be anything close to normal, he no longer feels he can be strong, tough, rugged. This song was on "mclusky do Dallas" maybe there is a connection here? Probably not.

    "Take up tai chi Now your favourite pet has died We had crazy fucking times 'Till her visa card expired" I'm probably wrong here, I have 3 possible interpretations. But all are thrown off by the gender conundrum. So, I’ll only post the best one. This is about the relationship ending. The child has to take up something else to keep themselves sane, Tai chi. Probably for the reasons Balial discussed, but also because she/he thinks their body id the only thing that could attract someone to them. (S)he is no longer a card carrying a child. Her/his visa card is expired. The kid is growing up, and is forced to do something other than Alan. Alan, her/his favorite pet, has died. Alan was always there to make the child feel important, like a doting pet, even if it was for a horrendous reason.

    "Wipe up his mess Pay your fluffers by the yard How you're paying for your peace How you're paying for your peace" —The boy, now a man, can’t form normal relationships. He’s trying to wipe up the mess Alan has made of him. At this point he’s put work into his body so he’ll have something to pay people with. He’s paying for people to care about him through sex; what he’s learned he’s good for. He gets them, and the peace of not being alone, they get his body. People that should be important to him are merely ‘fluffers.’ But he pays for them by the yard (his c*ck).

    Any other interpretation would be appreciated.

    noiseaddicton October 11, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.