I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious...
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother".
Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious...
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother".
Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks.
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Oh, and adding "... the cow" is just sort of blunt and funny sounding next to all the religious stuff. I think the Buzzcocks intended that humor too.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
Also Henry Cow is a band, not a person, like Pink Floyd.
Also Henry Cow is a band, not a person, like Pink Floyd.
I interpret it as being a criticism of (and comment on) commercialisation, particularly that of emotions, sex, relationships etc.
I don't understand the 'cow' bit though. Maybe it's just a rhyme for 'Mao'.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious...
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother".
Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records.
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious...
But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother".
Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks.
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Oh, and adding "... the cow" is just sort of blunt and funny sounding next to all the religious stuff. I think the Buzzcocks intended that humor too.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
@yewbarrow Perhaps a bit of overthinking in the other replies. "Cow" is a term for a woman who's not very bright. It fits with the superficiality that is criticised in other parts of the song.
Also Henry Cow is a band, not a person, like Pink Floyd.
Also Henry Cow is a band, not a person, like Pink Floyd.