The Meaning Behind The Song: Hey Cowboy by Kostars
If you’re looking for a catchy tune with a deeper meaning, it doesn’t get much better than “Hey Cowboy” by Kostars. An American indie-pop duo based out of New York City, Kostars is composed of singer-songwriters Karyn Kuhl and Jill Cunniff. While their music has been described as playful and irreverent, “Hey Cowboy” tackles some serious themes about societal expectations.
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The Lyrics
At its core, “Hey Cowboy” is a song about feeling trapped by gender roles. The song begins with Cunniff singing about a cowboy who is “looking for trouble” and has a “trigger-happy dance.” Meanwhile, Kuhl sings about a cowgirl who is “satisfied to be a sidekick” and “doesn’t have a chance to shoot her own gun.” The two characters meet in the chorus when Cunniff belts out, “Hey cowboy, come and get me. Hey cowgirl, set yourself free.”
The Meaning
On the surface, the song might seem like a simple tale of two cowboys falling in love. However, the lyrics are actually much more complex than that. “Hey Cowboy” is about breaking down gender norms and expectations. Cunniff told Songfacts that the song is “about role models and the pressure to follow them.”1
Throughout the song, Cunniff and Kuhl sing about how men are expected to be tough, aggressive, and dominant, while women are supposed to be submissive, delicate, and support their male counterparts. The song challenges these stereotypes and encourages people to break free from them.
The Inspiration
As for what inspired the song, Jill Cunniff has said that it was partly inspired by her own upbringing. In an interview with Porcelain magazine, she said, “I was brought up to be a tomboy, and then eventually, I was told to be a lady, whatever that means. That line between what I was supposed to be and what I felt like I was was always blurry.”2
Cunniff has also talked about how the song was inspired by classic cowboy movies. In an interview with The Village Voice, she said, “I like those movies from the ’50s and ’60s where you see a guy walking down the street and all the women stare at him. It’s hypnotic in a way. But I started to think, what if a woman looked at a man the same way? What if she had that level of power and control and nobody told her to stop?”3
The Video
The music video for “Hey Cowboy” is every bit as playful and irreverent as the song itself. Directed by Spike Jonze (who also directed the music video for Kostars’ hit song “Yellow Taxi”), the video features the band members dressed up in cowboy hats, boots, and fringed jackets. Over the course of the video, they ride horses, twirl guns, and dance in the desert. The whole thing has a slightly surreal, dreamlike quality that perfectly matches the song’s message about breaking free from societal norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Kostars to write “Hey Cowboy”?
The band members have said that they were inspired both by their own experiences growing up and by classic cowboy movies from the ’50s and ’60s.
What is the meaning behind the song?
“Hey Cowboy” is about breaking down gender norms and expectations, particularly as they relate to masculinity and femininity. The song encourages listeners to break free from these stereotypes and be true to themselves.
What is the significance of the line “Hey cowboy, come and get me. Hey cowgirl, set yourself free”?
This line is the main chorus of the song and is meant to convey the idea that both cowboys and cowgirls can be powerful and in control. It also encourages people to break down gender stereotypes and be true to themselves.
What is the message of the music video for “Hey Cowboy”?
The music video, directed by Spike Jonze, has a dreamlike quality that matches the song’s message about breaking free from societal norms. The video features the band members dressed up in cowboy hats, boots, and fringed jackets, riding horses, twirling guns, and dancing in the desert.
What are some other songs by Kostars?
Kostars had several popular songs in the ’90s, including “Yellow Taxi,” “Spoke,” and “Silverlake.”
What is the instrumentation in “Hey Cowboy”?
The song features a guitar-driven indie-pop sound with strong vocals from both Kuhl and Cunniff.
How did Kostars get started?
Kostars was formed in the mid-’90s by Karyn Kuhl and Jill Cunniff, who were both involved in the New York City music scene at the time.
What are some themes in Kostars’ music?
Kostars’ music often tackles serious themes like gender, societal expectations, and self-acceptance, but it is also playful and irreverent.
Where can I listen to “Hey Cowboy”?
“Hey Cowboy” is available for streaming on all major music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
What is the legacy of “Hey Cowboy”?
“Hey Cowboy” is still a beloved song among Kostars fans and is often cited as an example of the band’s catchy yet thought-provoking songwriting.
What are some other bands similar to Kostars?
Other bands that have a similar sound to Kostars include Luscious Jackson, The Breeders, and The Cardigans.
What has Kostars been up to recently?
Kostars has not released any new music since the late ’90s, but both Kuhl and Cunniff remain active in the music industry. Kuhl has released several solo albums, while Cunniff is a member of the band Luscious Jackson.
What is the overall message of Kostars’ music?
While Kostars’ music covers a variety of themes, the overall message is one of self-acceptance, breaking free from societal norms, and being true to oneself.
What is the origin of Kostars’ name?
The name “Kostars” is actually a combination of the band members’ names: Karyn Kuhl and Jill Cunniff.
Where can I learn more about Kostars?
If you’re interested in learning more about Kostars, you can check out their website or follow them on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
Will Kostars ever reunite and release new music?
There is no word on whether Kostars will ever reunite and release new music, but fans remain hopeful that they will.
- “Hey Cowboy” by Kostars Songfacts,
- “No Limit for Descent: An Interview with Jill Cunniff” by Laurent Estoppey, Porcelain magazine,
- “Are the Kostars Medievalist Cross-Dressers?” by Sara Scribner, The Village Voice,
