(Ghost) Riders in the Sky
Riders in the Sky
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An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day, Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way, When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw, A ploughin' through the ragged skies And up a cloudy draw. Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, The ghost herd in the sky. Their brands were still on fire and their hooves was made of steel, Their horns wuz black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel, A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky, For he saw the riders comin' hard And he heard their mournful cry. Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, Ghost riders in the sky. Their faces gaunt their eyes were blurred and shirts all soaked With sweat, They're ridin' hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught them yet 'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky, On horses snortin' fire As they ride on, hear their cry. Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, Ghost riders in the sky. As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name, "If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range, Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride A-try'ng to catch the devil's herd Across these endless skies." Yippee-yi-ay, yippee-yi-o, The ghost herd in the sky. Ghost riders in the sky.
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12 facts about this song
Genre Classification"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" by Riders in the Sky falls under the genre of Western, country, and cowboy music, making it a prominent staple in the culture of cowboy folklore.
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Publication DateThe song was initially composed and released by Stan Jones in 1948, and the rendition by Riders in the Sky was released in the late 20th century, showing its timeless appeal.
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Cover VersionsApart from Riders in the Sky, many well-known musicians have covered the song, including Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, The Outlaws, Frankie Laine and Dean Martin. This exemplifies the song's widespread popularity and influence.
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Theme of the SongThe lyrics of "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" depict a folklore story about a cowboy who has a vision of red-eyed, steel-hooved cattle thundering across the sky, chased by the spirits of damned cowboys. This captivating story serves as a warning for the living to change their ways.
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Critical ReceptionRecognized for its iconic melody and captivating storytelling, the song has received positive reviews from both music critics and fans alike.
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Awards and HonorsThe performance by Riders in the Sky contributed to their Grammy win in 2001 for the 'Best Musical Album for Children'. They were also named "Best Western Group" multiple times by the Western Music Association.
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Presence in Popular CultureThe song has appeared in multiple films and TV shows, including "Ghost Rider" featuring Nicolas Cage and the Disney movie "Cars".
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Hit on the Billboard ChartsVarious renditions of the song, including the one by Riders in the Sky, have achieved good rankings on the Billboard charts, demonstrating the song's commercial success.
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Influence on Music Industry"Riders in the Sky" helped popularize cowboy and Western-style music, inspiring many artists in these genres. Notably, the song was instrumental in shaping the career direction of the band itself - Riders in the Sky.
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Members of Riders in the SkyAs of 2018, the lineup of Riders in the Sky includes Ranger Doug (Douglas B. Green), Woody Paul (Paul Chrisman), Too Slim (Fred LaBour), and Joey the CowPolka King (Joey Miskulin), all contributing to the unique rendition of the legendary song.
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Hard to ClassifyDespite the song's predominantly Western and country roots, its Thundering beat and haunting lyrics have led some to label it as one of the earliest examples of goth cowboy or cowboy gothic music.
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Lyric InterpretationThe song’s lyrics have often been interpreted as an allegorical tale about the struggle between good and evil, adding a philosophical depth to it apart from its engaging storytelling and melody.
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Citation
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"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/254316/Riders+in+the+Sky/%28Ghost%29+Riders+in+the+Sky>.
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