She was a participant in Peter Gabriel's "Secret World Live" tour in the 90s. Paula Cole is a fabulous singer. The video of "In Your Eyes" is spellbinding.
Ok, but let’s be honest, even in the late 90s, women usually had executive power in most male-female relationships. Most of my male friends were almost afraid of doing anything without permission from their girlfriend or wife. It may not be true around the world, but in America, women tend to run the relationships. And you all know what I’m talking about.
I remember when this song came out, I was a bartender and it not being so busy, I watched VH1. The song "Sunny came home" by Shawn Colvin was released about the same time. These were played continuously.
Where is my John Wayne? Where is my prairie son? Where is happy ending? Where have all the cowboys gone? Despite the bouncy music this is actually a very sad song about a woman who's fairytale life instead became loneliness living with a husband who doesn't care about her.
This song came out at a rough time in my life...then my husband died unexpectedly. I wondered when my "cowboy" would come along...God blessed me with a man that had been a cowboy. This song is so sentimental to me.
The line after John Wayne isn't another name. The line is "where is my prairie song?" She is longing for the better life/companion she thought she had before things turned bad and she is bemoaning the way things have ended up. This guy did not end up being what she thought she'd found. The dream has gone sour.
I find so many similarities between this song and Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. Both begin with a romance set in a car, and then the woman grows resentful as she ends up pulling more weight in the relationship while the man spends time with his friends at a bar instead of caring for the kids. She stays with him, but laments what could’ve been. Difference is that in this song he sells the car. I love the scorn in Paula’s voice in the “while you go have a beer” line - it’s a stark contrast from the beautiful tone in the rest of the song. So glad you decided to check this one out!
I had them both on a playlist back when this song was current and obviously Fast Car was old and I thought of it as a country and city version of the same story. "Make friends at the farm join them at the bar almost every night of the week" "hang out drinking late at the bar see more of your friends than you do of your kids"
Gotta get the facts- especially living in OK. John Wayne=actor. (Famous for playing cowboys, but equally famous playing war heroes). Cowboy- multiple meanings, but basically a ranch hand, cattle farmer, but in the old west frequently had to lay down the law (to protect cattle from being stolen).
Cowboys ride horses and take care of cows, not really complicated. Some infamous ones are probably the most well known like Jesse James, Billy The Kid, and Doc Holliday. Wyatt Earp was a lawman, Annie Oakley was a famous sharpshooter and Buffalo Bill performed in rodeo shows. They should watch the movie Tombstone which includes several of these characters.
Speaking of which, they need to give Sarah McLachlan another listen, since she was the founder of Lilith Fair! "Building A Mystery" would be a great start.
Paula Cole is also great on Peter Gabriel's live version of "In Your Eyes." ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-evN6DIGPIJM.html She hits a note that you will not believe. She also sang the theme song for the TV Show Dawson't Creek "I Don't Wanta Wait." You asked about the diffence between a farmer and a cowboy. Farmer work the land. Cowboys drove cattle to market. Cowboys also performed in rodeos. A true cowboy and singer was the late Chris LeDoux.
Great song! I like the cadence. The 90's were the decade of many female alt- indie-type artists. Michelle Branch, Joan Osbourne, Vanessa Carlton, Paula Cole, Sophie B. Hawkins, Sarah McLaughlin, and of course, Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow, just to name a few. Paula won the 1997 Grammy for Best New Artist. 😎
Wow, I haven't heard this song in decades. I don't like to lose touch with great songs, but sometimes there is one that I actually forget about for a while.
A cowboy is a person who tends to cattle or horses on horseback. Real cowboys live by a code that enables them to be kind, loyal, hardworking and most of all independent.
This song is about her unhappiness and dissatisfaction with her husband: she had hoped for an ongoing romance/happy ending (her idealized cowboy) and got a life where she raised the children while her emotionally distant husband spent his time working and drinking with his coworkers.
Tasmin Archer-Sleeping Satellite Maria McKee-Show Me Heaven Gabrielle-Rise,Dreams Sarah McLachlan-Building A Mystery Neneh Cherry-Buffalo Stance,Manchild
Love this song! She just joined TikTok and is singing acoustic covers on her account. Still sounds amazing. Her other big hit was "I Don't Wanna Wait" -- you might recognize it!
Its sarcasm john wayne pretends to be a cowboy the song is anout the disappointment of being married to a man who rather be at the bar with his friends and leaves her alone to raise children and take care of the house.womem didnt want to put up with it then or now. Even if a woman wants to stay home and be a wife and motherthat should be her choice. Being a wife and mother are still feminist.
Hated this song when it came out. Was one of those that you just heard everywhere at the time. Then during quarantine watched her do a live video of it and omg totally opened my mind to what a great song it is. The range of Her voice is amazing. And the band is one of those simple, but perfect jams
Y'all should watch In Your Eyes on Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live tour. You listened to the studio recording of this song, but Paula's featured in the song in the tour (along with Papa Wemba, a singer from Africa who was amazing). When Gabriel started the tour, Sinead O'Connor was singing with him. She decided to leave the tour and Gabriel had to replace her with very little time. Someone recommended Paula, and she was quickly hired and brought on board to continue the tour in place of O'Connor. She ended up on the recording and the video, and is phenomenal. Following the tour, she released her own albums; this song is from the second release, which was a big hit for her.
Yes, Paula Cole had a few or more hits, WHATCG, I Don’t Wanna Wait, Me, Ordinary, and Feelin’ Love from the City Of Angels soundtrack. She also sang some live duets with Peter Gabriel, most notably Don’t Give Up, which is just stunning. Peter is actually the one who discovered Paula and got her signed. A lot of people don’t understand but her albums are all 🔥. Most only know her for 2 songs. You want to talk about the epitome of underrated ? Paula Cole is vastly underrated. I recommend checking out Me, I Am So Ordinary, Happy Home, ALL of the albums "This Fire," Amen, then Courage, and then start with "The Hard Way" from her album Ithaca, just to get the newbies started.
4:15 Paula Cole sings, "Where is my prairie sun?" She's alluding to riding off into the sunset with the gruff hero like the love interest is reputed to do in movie westerns.
Around the time this came out my (now) ex-wife bought tickets to see Matchbox 20 in Memphis. She never heard of Paula Cole that opened for them. I had heard of her before because she sang backup for one of my all time faves, Peter Gabriel. What I found was that she was awesome in her own right! Sadly, she got no respect from the audience. I kept overhearing stuff like "hurry up and get lost" and "I wish she would go away already," etc. through her whole set. When she got to this song, people listened. During the drum solo she jumped on a 2nd set of drums on stage and played that whole part. When she got to the "you go have a beer" the audience cheered. It was great. No big screen, no fancy dance moves, just pure voice and talent that very few in the audience probably enjoyed. A class act for sure! Matchbox 20 absolutely slayed too! Strangely enough, all they had on stage for decoration was this little box that kept changing colors. I thought that was interesting enough to mention. With that I would like to request that if you haven't heard it already and I missed it, please listen to Matchbox 20's "Real World." I used to sing it to my daughter to get her to fall asleep. She made me sing it over and over until she fell out. It was at least a few years before I could ever listen to it again after that, but I later found I love it as much as I do her. I think you will love it too!
The mid 90s brought us such an amazing range of women artists. More than any other time I can think of. I was blessed to have been in my early 20s and got to see the Lillith Faire lineup of female artists multiple times.
I'm so glad you guys finally got to Paula Cole!! She has such an insane range and is completely underrated!!! I suggest "I don't want to wait" "Tiger" "Road to dead" "Me" and "Throwing stones" ( This one has some language though) But it is my personal favorite from her. Thanks, you two always make me smile! I hope to return the favor someday. Hugs and love to you both!!
Amber, the only name mentioned is John Wayne. The next line (though it sounded like another name) is "where is my prairie song". She's asking where is her good man and her simple, but beautiful life.
This song always speaks to me...came from a long line of cowboys and stand up men who you don't seem to find much these days. The video version faded out but there is a beautiful haunting ending that you didnt hear. Thanks for posting!
I just got chills reading your comment. “Me” was such a powerful song for me during a time when my mental health was really bad. Such an awesome song. I never seen the video so didn’t know about the 🌈 reference, but I don’t even mind. Such a powerful song! Definetly my favourite.
@@JT-ok6re thanks what was the name of a girl singer from around that time with blonde hair with a nose ring can’t recall her name 🤔 she did a duet with Pavarotti at one of his concerts
@@JT-ok6re you will know the singer she was doing a bit opera with Pavarotti and when the close came of her could see she had a nose ring in and thought that’s usual for an Opera singer but then realised the video clip was part of a charity concert with guest singers. You will know her big hit will find out through the search engine and get back to you,
Her song showcases the bankrupcy of this so-called ideal, man-the-provider, woman the care-giver. Brilliant song, always loved it. Kinda surprised you took it at face value.
Another amazing voice is Melissa Manchester. Check out “Through the Eyes of Love” from the film Ice Castles. It is a slower song but the violins are powerful.
Also Please don't forget to check out: Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man - Candy Man (Both Great Horns !!) Also - Lady Marmalad Annie Lenox (Eurythmics) - Would I Lie to You - I Need a Man - Thorn in My Side Gwen Stefanie - It's My Life - What You Waiting For Shikira - When ever Where ever - Objection Tango Head Pins - Don't it Make You Feel (like Dancing) - Turn it Loud - Just One More Time Toronto - Your Daddy Don't Know - Start Telling the Truth
This song was actually a pretty big hit in the 90’s. Its super sad if you listen to the lyrics, as it describes a disillusioned housewife lost in a mediocre marriage wishing for a rescue from a cowboy, which in her depiction is someone who would thrill her, notice her, and take her to a fantasy like place away from her misery. Check out Paula Cole “Feelin’ Love” from the soundtrack City of Angels. I guarantee this song has the sexiest vocals you will hear from any other song. It’s incredible.
There was this image projected in old western movies of the cowboy (rancher, cattle herding type, man from the old west who rode a horse, head a gun belt & hat, etc) who comes in and saves the day, he takes care of the damsel in distress. This song is reflecting what often happens when a woman falls for the "cowboy". It's an example of traditional sexist roles in society. It's a sad song of a woman stuck in the traditional role and having no power. Paula Cole made a new version of the video y'all should watch. It's great.
Great song! Also love her hit I Don't Want To Wait. :) Okay Jay, cowboys raise cattle; farmers raise crops. That's the difference. Lol (As you can tell, a person can be both, or just choose one path. My grandfather was a farmer, and his son was a cowboy.) X)
From my own admittedly limited outside perspective, there are several different versions of cowboys. First are the original cowboys, whose job has been to herd cattle for ranches since the push to move out west in the 1800s. They traditionally do so from horseback, but I can imagine that modern cowboys would make use of modern vehicles when available, such as pickup trucks and maybe even helicopters. Additionally, most employees on a ranch would no doubt have other jobs, maybe like working farm jobs, helping to fix things and keeping local predators away from getting at the cattle they were guarding. Then there’s the Hollywood cowboy, which was originally born from old movies starting in the early 20th which featured famous actors like John Wayne. These cowboys can take several different forms, from portraying the character as a traditional rancher, to being a quick drawing gunslinger - who could be on the side of the law or against it, depending on the character’s situation and the general story - to occasionally even having the cowboy in question strumming on a guitar and singing for some reason. And then there’s the wannabe cowboys, the ones who dress up and act like cowboys because they think it makes them look cool, but they would probably shit themselves if you put them on an actual ranch. As for the bull riding, yes, that’s part of the general cowboy culture out west, but it’s usually confined to rodeos and can be very dangerous for the rider in question, so much so that the minimum amount of time a rider has to stay on the bull in order to score points is 8 seconds - there’s a very real danger of being thrown off and being squashed by the bull in retaliation for the affront of daring to sit on his back.
This is such a great song always loved it. The Marlboro man is from the commercials for Marlboro cigarettes. There was always a hot dude on the commercials. Six pack abs and all.
It’s a different kind of song, but I always liked it. Paula also sang the theme song to “Dawson’s Creek”, a 90s teen drama series which I really liked.
Btw, if Paula Cole is wondering where her John Wayne is, maybe shaving her pits would help find him. Just a suggestion. I’m still looking for my Jennifer Connelly, btw.
John Wayne was a famous an actor who played a lot of cowboys in movies. A cowboy is a ranch hand who herds cattle on horseback. Generally not the ranch owner. Actually consider lower status in the days of the old west but where mythologized over time. Not sure I could actually name one.
@@PlumbPitifulIf you look the song up on Google, every site says the lyric is "prairie song" which is how I always sang it when I sang along. But who knows really except maybe Paula Cole? 🤔
@@donnakubiski5572I always thought it was “Song” as well, but I’m not familiar with the actual vernacular of the region, so I suppose it could be “Son”. I’d always believed Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” lyric said “Mary’s dress waves”. It was in the liner notes. But there was a bit to-do about it online and the actual lyric is apparently “Mary’s dress SWAYS”. I’m still not sure. Nobody is. Not even Bruce.
I've always loved Paula Cole. New music for Female Friday: 1. "Hold On" by En Vogue/1990 2. "Secret Rendezvous" by Karyn White/1989 3. "Control" by Janet Jackson/1986 (music video starts out like a mini movie and turns into a video. Awesome dancing by Janet.) 4. "Love Overboard" by Gladys Knight and The Pips/1987
Paula Cole came out during a period in the '90s when female singer/songwriters and female-led bands were getting a ton of exposure and airplay. Look up Lilith Fair if you want a list of female alternative artists who were popular back then, and that's just a small sample. There were a ton of female performers getting heavy rotation on MTV and the radio in the '90s.
A cowboy was a specific job, basically a type of ranch-hand who corralled and wrangled cows to be transported (originally overland either all the way, or to the river where they would be sent to Chicago for slaughter, but eventually just to the train station, to be sold to train agents of the slaughterhouses). They were RANCH HANDS, not FARM hands, though in plenty of places, a ranch would have a farm or be part of a farm. However, there was at least one horse gang (like a biker gang in the modern day, but who rode horses) whose name was The Cowboys (they were the people Wyatt Earp is most famous for dismantling, see either Tombstone or the biopic Wyatt Earp from the same year for some information, though the historical Cowboy gang may or may not be as bad as portrayed). Several events at modern rodeos stemmed from cowboy practices, especially bull riding--"breaking" a bull to be tamed was part of the job, but the bull-riding event, for a variety of reasons, only requires the rider to ride the bull for 8 seconds)--but also calf roping and tying. All skills necessary when keeping a herd of cattle. Cowboys became just one character type in Western movies, others being period U.S. Army soldiers and scouts, mountain men (usually dressed in furs--Jeremiah Johnson is the most well-known, probably), sherriffs, outlaws, and Native American types, and many others, but westerns were often called "cowboy pictures," so the stereotype of a western hero was a cowboy, and vice versa. Because of this, and the tendency for many, if not most, Western movies to have very clear, heroic characters as their protagonists, a cowboy came to have a certain connotation in the mass media.
I had forgotten this song and this artist’s amazing voice. A totally different presentation of musical talent and style. “I don’t want to wait”, another of her popular songs is also intriguing to listen to. I just wish it hadn’t been the theme to such an 90s angst ridden TV show.
Glad you finally got to her. Paula never gets enough love. I remember when this video appeared in the mid-1990s on the VH1 music channel (MTV wasn't doing music video anymore by then). This was shortly after she appeared in Peter's Secret World concert. This was her only hit as far as I know.
Is the railway Nielsen Hammond Wilder wireless journeys, as I told the mama's not to let their babies grow up and make cowboys. You say so , the mother's was listening to william whiwell , you're marilyn , sing your song mama , don't hurt your babies grow up to bed , so can see o w b o y so they did
Oh memories. I forgot this gem, and the night I heard it in karaoke over 20 years ago when I met the only girl I truly loved. Thanks for reminding me of that night.
Cowboy synonyms: cattleman, cow puncher, cowhand, cowherd, cowman, cowpoke, puncher. Occupation - One that rides the trails and works with or moves cattle from place to place. The old west version of a cattle hauling trucker.
As a former Art teacher in W Texas...this was a fav song by my girls & boys in HS class...allowed music in class and the kiddos would all grow quiet when it would come on and some of my girls would sing along with lyrics. We know the Cowboy types...and kids could relate. Luv it!
Oh, she is a great songwriter! I love how the whispering rap belies her bitterness in her relationship. So my fellow Okie youngsters, let me tell you that cowboys and farmers are not the same thing! In fact, in the musical, "Oklahoma!" there is a song, "The Farmer and the Cowboys should be friends." Cowboys do ride bulls, but mainly they drove cattle along the famous "Chisolm Trails" and others for hundreds of miles on horseback. I highly recommend John Wayne's 1969 movie "True Grit". It was his movie, and one of the greatest movies ever. The setting is none other than Oklahoma before it was a state. They even have the original McAlester's trading post.
Paula Cole toured with Peter Gabriel at the end of his "Secret World Live" tour, and he gave her freedom to do her thing on "In your Eyes" with spectacular results.
Songs like "Happy Home", "I Am So Ordinary", "Bethlehem" and especially "She Can't Feel Anything Anymore" and that's just from her first record. Bring a box of tissues, you're gonna need them.
Cowboys and Farmers are two different things. Cowboys would drive cattle to market from the Ranch. The people raising Cattle are Ranchers. In a more general sense, in the 1800s when the west was opening up from the Midwest, people were very independent. Cowboys were like the frontiersmen settling the west. Farmers came about after the settling of the West. Other famous Cowboys Roy Rogers, Tex Ritter, James Arness, Will Rogers, Randolph Scott and Gary Cooper.
The “Sylkscreen Remix” of this track elevates the original; it feels more profoundly grounded and pushes its sound up to early 2000s downtempo, that may resonate with fans of more contemporary pop music.
Love this song, 90s were a great time for female musicians. This song was released in 1997 …… around the same time were awesome hits by Canadian songstresses Chantal Kreviasuk (try Surrounded) who also plays beautiful piano in her songs and Amanda Marshall (try Beautiful Goodbye) who at the time was praised by Elton John as one of the best new vocalists in the Americas. I have been to both artists live shows. A must hear!!
