Kate Bush

Released: August 31, 1979

Songwriter: Kate Bush

Producer: Kate Bush

[Verse 1]
James, come on home
You've been gone too long baby
We can't let our hero die alone
We miss you day and night
You left town to live by the rifle
You left us to fight
But it just ain't right to take away the light

[Pre-Chorus]
Remember Genie, from the casino?
She's still a-waiting in the big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whiskey back
'Till they get out of hand and wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life that they led with their old friend

[Chorus]
Ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?
Selling your soul to a... ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?

[Verse 2]
Where lies your heart?
It's not there in the buckskin baby
It's not there in the gin
That makes you laugh long and loud
You're a coward, James
You're running away from humanity
You're running out on reality
It won't be funny when they
Rat-a-tat-tat you down

[Pre-Chorus]
Remember Genie, from the casino?
She's still a-waiting in the big brass bed
The boys from your gang are knocking whiskey back
'Till they get out of hand and wish they were dead
They're only lonely for the life that they led with their old friend

[Chorus]
Ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul to a cold gun?
Selling your soul to a... ooh-wahoo-ooh-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo-ooh
Wahoo-oohoo-oohoo
James, are you selling your soul...
Oohoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
...to a cold gun?

Kate Bush is an art pop singer and songwriter from Bexleyheath, a suburb of London, England. Her debut single “Wuthering Heights” hit number one on the UK charts in 1978, winning her a Brit award for best female performance, and propelling her into fame.

She went on to write, record and produce ten studio albums including her UK bestselling fifth album, Hounds of Love in 1985.

She is known for her experimental musical style and live performances, but has only toured twice – first in 1979 then 35 years later in 2014 – both of which have received releases in the form of either an EP, LP and/or video.

more tracks from the album

The Single File (1978 - 1983)

From the albums

On Stage [EP] (1979)
Kate Bush [EP] (1983)
The Single File (1978 - 1983) (1984)
This Woman’s Work: Anthology 1978-1990 (1990)

Kate Bush popular songs

James and the Cold Gun (Live)Kate Bush

Kate Bush

The Single File (1978 - 1983)