Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Hello, cowgirl in the sand (hello, cowgirl in the sand)
Is this place at your command?
Can I stay here for a while?
Can I see your sweet, sweet smile?
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello, ruby in the dust (hello, ruby in the dust)
Has your band begun to rust?
After all the sin we've had
I was hopin' that we'd turn bad
Old enough now, to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello, woman of my dreams (hello, woman of my dreams)
Is this not the way it seems?
Purple words on a gray background
To be a woman and to be turned down
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Is this place at your command?
Can I stay here for a while?
Can I see your sweet, sweet smile?
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello, ruby in the dust (hello, ruby in the dust)
Has your band begun to rust?
After all the sin we've had
I was hopin' that we'd turn bad
Old enough now, to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello, woman of my dreams (hello, woman of my dreams)
Is this not the way it seems?
Purple words on a gray background
To be a woman and to be turned down
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Lyrics submitted by H-bomb, edited by Lookout4MyLove
Cowgirl in the Sand Lyrics as written by Neil Young
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
This song for me has come full circle as an interesting but most likely another WAG but.. The song "Unknown Legend" maybe talking about the same women. "Now she's dressing two kids, lookin for that magic kiss. Somewhere on a desert highway, she rides a Harley Davidson." Where perhaps the most subtle of all the lyrics in Cowgirl are as one person was inquisitive enough to ask, 'What about the purple words part." This puzzled me until I was at a wedding and the bride had this song (oddly enough) played during the ceremony when this particular passage was deciphered (at least what I think). So "purple words on a gray background." I saw on the wedding invitation as those lyrics were being sung. It was the wedding invitation. This whole song is a huge rejection and breakup of a long-term relationship. Only Neil could confirm what I assume.. yes, I know the acronym and best guess. You had to be there. "Purple words on a gray background... to be a women and to be turned down... left at the altar. cheers SNAPDUDE
@SNAPDUDE This is good. You are right about the wedding invitation. Even if the meaning is vague, I now believe Neil was alluding to the invitation when he wrote that line. Thanks for it.