Space Cowboy

The song Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai, released in 1994, transports us on a sonic journey that goes beyond a simple funk and acid jazz track. It is said that the lyrics, written by Jay Kay himself, are inspired by his relationship with marijuana, evoking sensations of being in space and the anticipation of sharing that experience. This connection is even reflected in the single's cover art. The musical piece is presented in various versions, each with its own character. The one we usually hear on the radio and on compilations like High Times: Singles 1992–2006 is a shorter edition, based on the "Stoned Again Mix". This original version, which lasts around 6:32, stands out for the use of the slap bass technique in the chorus, performed by Stuart Zender. In contrast, the version found on the album The Return of the Space Cowboy is notably longer, reaching 6:24, and features a different bass line, attributed to a musician known as "Mr. X", although years later Stuart Zender clarified that he himself composed the original bass line. Furthermore, there is a remix by David Morales, the 'Classic Club Remix', which gained popularity in the club scene and appears on dance music compilations.

This track was the lead single for the band's second studio album, The Return of the Space Cowboy, released in 1994. The recording of this album began in the first half of that year, following the success of their previous record. Space Cowboy had a good international reception: it reached number 17 on the UK singles charts, number six in Italy, and third in Iceland. In the United States, it marked a milestone for the band by reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In June 2006, the song resonated strongly again by re-entering the number one spot on the UK Dance Chart. The music video accompanying the single was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton, and uses motion control technology to show Jay Kay and the other band members interacting in a blue space. The influence of Space Cowboy extends even to other creative areas; it is known that the screenwriter of Cowboy Bebop, Keiko Nobumoto, mentioned it as one of the inspirations for that anime series. In April 2024, almost three decades after its original release, Michael Gray presented an official remix of the song.