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(Ronald Raygun &) The Nuclear Cowboys

from Real World by The Crazoids

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about

Nuclear Cowboys was written back during the Cold War and a puppet loony like Reagan was elected in control of it all. It was pure insanity and many thought it was all but over.

The French were still testing at Moruroa Atoll and the Russians still arming to the teeth. This song is directed at Reagan but equally aimed at ALL the nuclear armed world leaders, still, hence the plural "Cowboys".

The song was literally inspired while I was actively involved with an anti-nuclear group and saw Reagan on a late movie then the next day he was on the news threatening to start bombing Russia in 5 minutes . M.A.D.

lyrics

(Ronald Raygun and) Nuclear Cowboys

I saw Ronald Raygun
On the late late movie
Quite a tough guy
A real smoothy.

He was Sheriff of Cheyenne
Quick on the draw
But all of the townsfolk
Knew that he stood for the law.

Because he shoots from the hip
With a wink in his eye
A smile on his lips
No he never says die.

A man killed his brother
He said "the outlaw must hang"
So the Sheriff alone
Went out after the gang.

Well they fought in a canyon
He got shot in the arm
But captured him anyhow
By keeping perfectly calm.

He always shoots from the hip
With a wink in his eye
A smile on his lips
No he never says die.

But then I remembered it was only a movie
And they were all actors playing a part
Nobody really gets hurt by the bullets
How can your bleed when you don't have a heart?

Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys.

I saw Ronald Raygun
On the late night news
He was playing a major role
As a political stooge.

It's a long time since Hollywood
And sure people can change
But a movie-star President
Still seems kind of strange.

Oh he shoots from the hip
With a wink in his eye
A smile on his lips
No he never says die.

As I thought of the movie
From the morning before
I wondered if anyone
Knew what was in store.

Would armies of robots
With six-gun in hand
Make Soviet Russia
The new Rio Grand??

Ah he still shoots from the hip
With a wink in his eye
A smile on his lips
No he never says die.

I hope they remember
It isn't a movie
We're not actors
Playing a part.

People are real
And get killed by the rockets
Scream as you burn
At the men with no heart.

Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys.
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys
Ronald Raygun and the nuclear cowboys.
Ronald Raygun.


Words and music by Japetus © Copyright 1981
Written, arranged, engineered and produced by Jay Moxham

credits

from Real World, released April 1, 1982
- Jay Moxham... Nylon acoustic guitar, Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, DMX drum programming, JX-3P and Poly-6 keyboards and step-time sequenced keyboard Bass .
- Paul Dengate... Electric rhythm guitar.

Notes:
- Note that the clip clop sound (supposed to be horses hooves) actually go double-time in the second half. This took some clever programming.

- The 'scream' sound going into the second half is actually a whistle.

- One of my favourite lines is "Will armies of robots make Soviet Russia the new Rio Grand?"

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The Crazoids Willoughby, Australia

Crazy, young and frustrated with the ways of the world, The Crazoids was a futuristic, early-80's Pop music project that reflected upon the quirky sides of humanity as it approached the challenges of the 21st century. 'Released' here under the album title of Real World they are presented here purely in an historical context for posterity's sake. Created by Jay Moxham for the Japetus Project. ... more

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