Space Cowboy (Jamiroquai song)

"Space Cowboy" is the international lead single from British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai's second studio album, The Return of the Space Cowboy. The single peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in Italy and number three in Iceland. In the United States it gave the band their first number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In June 2006, it re-entered the UK Dance Chart at number one. The single additionally contained remixes by David Morales, which further put the single in club circulation.[1][2]

"Space Cowboy"
Single by Jamiroquai
from the album The Return of the Space Cowboy
B-side
  • "The Kids"
  • "Journey to Arnhemland"
Released26 September 1994
Recorded1994
Genre
Length
  • 6:23 (album version)
  • 3:39 (radio edit)
  • 6:32 (Stoned Again/Alternative version)
LabelSony Soho Square
Songwriter(s)Jay Kay
Producer(s)Jay Kay
Jamiroquai singles chronology
"The Kids"
(1994)		 "Space Cowboy"
(1994)		 "Half the Man"
(1994)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

Background

Three very distinct but relatively well-known versions of the song exist.

The original iteration was recorded with the band's regular bassist Stuart Zender and uses a slap bass technique during the chorus. This version is commonly known as the "Stoned Again Mix" and was largely the version played on radio when the single was released. The full "Stoned Again Mix" was a B-side on the 12" vinyl single, and a shorter 'radio edit' is the version included on the band's 'Greatest Hits' album, High Times: Singles 1992-2006. A lengthy rendition of this version is usually the one performed live, sometimes extended to as much as telve minutes with additional instrumental parts, including wind instruments not on any recorded version.

The album version is noticably different; it is considerably longer with a different bassline played not by Stuart Zender but by an artist credited as "Mr. X" in the album sleeve notes. Years later Zender himself on Instagram has revealed that the bass player who played on the song is Paul Powell.[3]).

Thirdly, a house music-style remix by David Morales, known as the 'Classic Club Remix' became popular in clubs and appears on many dance/club compliations. This appeared on the US single release and a shorter 'Classic Radio' edit was a B-side on the British CD single release of "Virtual Insanity". David Guetta's song "Stay (Don't Go Away)", featuring Raye, samples this remix.

"Space Cowboy" is a frequently covered song, with two notable cover versions: one by Jazzamor, and one by the band Jacarandaa. Cowboy Bebop scriptwriter Keiko Nobumoto said in an interview that the song "Space Cowboy" was one of the inspirations for Cowboy Bebop.[4]

Music video

A music video was filmed for "Space Cowboy" using the "Stoned Again Mix" version of the song. It was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton, and mainly featured Jay Kay dancing around a blue room with multiple versions of him and the other band members appearing and disappearing. Occasional breaks show the band members against a blacklight with marijuana-leaf motifs. The video makes use of motion control photography to allow a seemingly-continuous shot as the camera pans around the room. In America, another version of the video replaced the leaves with daisies, without Jay's consent. A video of the David Morales remix also exists.[5]

Track listings

Remixes

David Morales Mixes

  • "Space Cowboy (Classic Club Remix)" – 7:52
  • "Space Cowboy (Babinstrumental)" – 6:45
  • "Space Cowboy (Classic Radio Remix)" – 4:01

Musaphia & Mayhem Mixes

  • "Space Cowboy (Mayhem & Musaphia Reconstruction Mix)" – 8:50
  • "Space Cowboy (Mayhem & Musaphia Deep Dub)" – 7:18

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1994–1995) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 49
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 72
France (SNEP)[8] 22
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[9] 3
Italy (Musica e dischi)[10] 6
Scotland (OCC)[11] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 28
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 17
UK Dance (OCC)[14] 11
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[15] 1
US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[16] 27
Chart (2006) Peak
position
UK Dance (OCC)[17] 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1995) Position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[18] 51

References
  1. Meyers, Justin (28 March 2017). "Jamiroquai's Official Top 10 biggest hits revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  2. Smith, Shawnee (21 December 1996). "Work's Group Jamiroquai Sets Sights On U.S." Billboard: 23–24 – via Google Books.
  3. "Jamiro-Mistery Solved!".
  4. "Interview: The Crew of Cowboy Bebop, 20 Years Later". Anime News Network. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  5. "Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy (David Morales Classic Club Mix) [1994] - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. "Ultratop.be – Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 43. 22 October 1994. p. 20. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  8. "Lescharts.com – Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (18.11. '95 – 24.11. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 November 1995. p. 50. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  10. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 28. 15 July 1995. p. 7. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  12. "Swisscharts.com – Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  14. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  15. "Jamiroquai Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  16. "Jamiroquai Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  17. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  18. "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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