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 in re-entered the UK Dance Chart at number one.

Background

Two very distinct versions of the song exist. One was recorded with Stuart Zender on bass, has a greater tempo, and uses a 'bass slap' technique during the chorus. This version is commonly known as the "Stoned Again Mix", even though it is the original version of the track. The second version, the version that appears on the album, is considerably different, with a lower tempo, and a completely dissimilar bassline. The bass on the album version was not played by Zender, but by an unknown artist only credited as "Mr. X" in the booklet. It was this song that earned lead singer Jay Kay the "space cowboy" nickname in the press.
The American version of the single contains a number remixes by David Morales. Most live versions of the song are as long as twelve minutes, adding additional verses, and instrumental parts. While the album version utilizes no wind instruments, some live versions, such as the ones from the Travelling Without Moving era, or the era, do. The version of the song played live is the "Stoned Again Mix". "Space Cowboy" is a frequently covered song, with two notable cover versions; one by Jazzamor, and one by the band Jacarandaa.
David Guetta's song Stay featuring Raye samples David Morales' remix of Space Cowboy.
Cowboy Bebop scriptwriter Keiko Nobumoto said in an interview that the song Space Cowboy was one of the inspirations for Cowboy Bebop.

Music video

A music video was filmed for "Space Cowboy", using the "Stoned Again" Mix 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 remix by David Morales also exists.

Track listings

UK CD single
  1. "Space Cowboy" – 3:40
  2. "Journey To Arnhemland" – 5:22
  3. "The Kids" – 5:01
  4. "Space Cowboy " – 4:18
Europe 12" Single
  1. "Space Cowboy " – 3:46
  2. "Journey To Arnhemland" – 5:22
  3. "Space Cowboy " – 6:32
US 12" single
  1. "Space Cowboy " – 6:25
  2. "Space Cowboy " – 3:46
  3. "Space Cowboy " – 3:36
  4. "Space Cowboy " – 7:52
  5. "Space Cowboy " – 6:45
  6. "Space Cowboy " – 4:01
2006 Digital EP
  1. "Space Cowboy " – 8:50
  2. "Space Cowboy " – 7:18

    Remixes

David Morales Mixes
Musaphia & Mayhem Mixes

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts