Cowtown
They Might Be Giants · Then: The Earlier Years [1997]
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean
And that's where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
The yellow Roosevelt avenue leaf overturned
The ardor of arboreality is an adventure we have spurned, we've spurned
A new leaf overturned
It's a new leaf overturned
And so I'm going down to Cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean
And that's where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
We yearn to swim for home but our only home is bone
How sleepless is the egg, knowing that which throws the stone
Foresees the bone, the bone
Our only home is bone
Our only home is bone
And so I'm going down to Cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean
And that's where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
Yes I'm going down to Cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean
And that's where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where I will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
Yes I'm gonna see (I'm gonna see)
The cow (the cow)
Beneath the sea
Cowtown
Cowtown is a standout track from They Might Be Giants, appearing on their 1997 compilation Then: The Earlier Years. The song captures the duo's signature blend of whimsical storytelling and eclectic instrumentation, hallmarks of their extensive discography. Known for their ability to merge children's themes with complex musical structures, the band uses this recording to explore narrative depth within a concise format. The track reflects the creative energy of their early career, showcasing the unique chemistry between John Linnell and John Flansburgh. As part of a collection highlighting their formative work, Cowtown demonstrates the group's enduring capacity to craft memorable melodies and engaging lyrics that resonate across generations of listeners.