What music do you associate with the American state of Texas? Country and blues immediately come to mind. You can also remember some cool Texas rockers, representatives of electronic music and cool jazzmen. But Texas is probably only thought about by fans of the famous band Pantera.
This is exactly what is discussed in one of the group’s visiting cards – the track Cowboys from Hell.
Cowboys from Hell – Pantera song history
According to Anselmo on That Metal Show, Cowboys from Hell was based on a riff composed by Darrell. Allegedly, one day Dimebag came to some party in Fort Worth, called Phil, who was having fun there, into the car and played his creation to him there. Anselmo, he said, immediately knew it was going to be a hit.
The meaning of the song Cowboys from Hell was clearly explained by Vinnie Paul:
Actually, it was the first song we wrote for the record. In fact, it is about the fact that we are from Texas and are not at ease. People don’t consider Texas a heavy metal hotspot. It seems to them that New York or Los Angeles are like that … It seemed to us something like a banal stereotype.
pantera.com
Release and achievements
The members of Pantera first recorded Cowboys from Hell for the album Cowboys from Hell: The Demos. After they entered into an agreement with Atco Records, the band re-recorded the song.
Cowboys from Hell was released as the first single from Pantera’s self-titled album and became one of the band’s most famous compositions, which she performed in almost all of her performances. The track was also included on the live albums Official Live: 101 Proof and Alive and Hostile EP
Cowboys from Hell was named one of the 40 Greatest Metal Songs by VH1.
Clip Cowboys from Hell – Pantera
The music video for the song Cowboys from Hell was directed by Paul Rahman. This is a simple video in which the band plays on the stage of the club “The Basement” in Dallas.
Cowboys from Hell
Under the lights where we stand tall
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We’re gonna take what’s ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say the bad guys wear black
We’re tagged and can’t turn back
You see us comin’
And you all together run for cover
We’re takin’ over this town
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It’s been slow down below towards you,
We’re the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we’ve won
Ain’t talking no tall tales friend
Cause high noon, your doom comin’ for you
We’re the cowboys from hell
Pillage the village, trash the scene
But better not take it out on me
Cause a ghost town is found
where your city used to be
So out of the darkness and into the light
Sparks fly everywhere in sight
From my double barrel, twelve gauge,
Can’t lock me in your cage
Cowboys From Hell Lyrics
We’re standing tall in the spotlight
Nobody touches us at all
Showdowns, shootouts – we sow fear everywhere
We’re going to take what should be ours
Tell everyone around about it
They say bad boys wear black
We’ve been labeled and we can’t turn back
See we go
And all of you, run for cover
We will take over this city
Here we go, get your gun out
And you better listen carefully, my friend, you see
The barrel is already pointing at you
We are cowboys from hell
The deed is done again, we won
We don’t tell tales, buddy
And exactly at noon your hour will come
We are cowboys from hell
Rob the village, destroy everything around,
But you better not take it out on me
Otherwise, the ghost town will be there,
Where was your city before?
So come out of the darkness into the light
Sparks fly everywhere
From my twelfth-gauge shotgun
You can’t lock me in a cage
Song quote
Cowboys – that’s where everyone fell into place, and Pantera gave a mature sound.
Vinnie Paul
