James and the Cold Gun

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In an interview with Phil Sutcliffe published in the August 30, 1980 issue of Sounds, composer and performer Kate Bush spoke of her fascination with guns: “Not about what… Read More

Feb. 17, 19781 viewer12.4K views

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James and the Cold Gun Lyrics

[Verse 1]
James, come on home
You've been gone too long, baby
We can't let our hero die alone
We miss you day and night
You left town to live by the rifle
You left us to fight
But it just ain't right to take away the light

[Pre-Chorus]
Remember Genie, from the casino?
She's still a-waiting in the big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whiskey back
'Till they get out of hand and wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life that they led with their old friend

[Chorus]
Ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

[Verse 2]
Where lies your heart?
It's not there in the buckskin, baby
It's not there in the gin that makes you laugh long and loud
You're a coward, James
You're running away from humanity
You're running out on reality
It won't be funny when they
Rat-a-tat-tat you down

[Pre-Chorus]
Remember Genie, from the casino?
She's still a-waiting in the big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whiskey back
'Till they get out of hand and wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life that they led with their old friend

[Chorus]
Ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul?
Oohoo-hoo-hoo
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
To a cold gun?

About

In an interview with Phil Sutcliffe published in the August 30, 1980 issue of Sounds, composer and performer Kate Bush spoke of her fascination with guns: “Not about what they do, but detach them from their purpose and they’re… fantastic, beautiful.”

At a stretch this song, could be about James Bond, but it was actually inspired by a contemporary thriller, The Day Of The Jackal. Based on the book of the same name by English author Frederick Forsyth, this 1973 release featured Edward Fox in the title role of the nameless would-be assassin of Charles de Gaule, who was President of France from 1959-69. The film is set in 1963, the same year American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

A live version of “James And The Cold Gun” was released on the 12 inch EP Kate Bush Live On Stage. Running to 6 minutes 25 seconds, it was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London on May 13, and released September 3, 1979. (thanks, Alexander Baron – London, England, for all above)

This was also pushed by EMI to be the first single, but Kate insisted “Wuthering Heights” be released instead.