Modern Day Cowboy

"Modern Day Cowboy"
Single by Tesla
from the album Mechanical Resonance
Released December 1986
Recorded 1986
Studio Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York
Genre Glam metal
Length 5:19
Label Geffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Tesla singles chronology
"Modern Day Cowboy"
(1986)
"Little Suzi"
(1987)

"Modern Day Cowboy" is the debut single by American rock band Tesla, from the band's debut studio album, Mechanical Resonance. The song's lyrics make references to criminals such as Billy the Kid and Al Capone, until the final verse, which references Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Music video

A music video was produced for the song, which shows Nikola Tesla playing films in an abandoned movie theater. Tesla shows footage of the band performing the song, along with scenes from the movies High Noon, Scarface, and Dr. Strangelove. The beginning of the video shows the theater marquee with the names of all three films with some letters missing, along with the name of the band.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Modern Day Cowboy" 5:19
2. "Love Me" (live) 4:36
3. "Cover Queen" (live) 4:31

Charts

Charts (1987) Peak
US Main. Rock 35

In popular culture

The song was featured in the video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The song was also featured in the Supernatural episode "Beyond the Mat".

Personnel

  • Jeff Keith – lead vocals
  • Frank Hannon – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Skeoch – rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Wheat – bass guitar
  • Troy Luccketta – drums