Cow Tipping – or, will The Co-op Cow capture the Hearts of the Derby public?

It’s official. The Sacred cow forms part of a two pronged assault on Derby folks’ heartstrings, the other being the new football anthem Derby Pride. Last night, at least in the second half, The Rams so nearly forced the World club champions into extra time, and displayed Passion and Pride in equal measure. But Derby, whilst it might be defined by its football team to many, os certainly more than  that, and I’ve now made a video to accompany the song which immortalises that Red Neon Bovine Icon! It’s peppered with Derby images, including the “handless” (or is it?) clock in the now sadly demolished art deco Derby bus station.

© Kev Moore 2009

The Co-Op Cow

The Bovine Rouge

As events gathered apace surrounding my song for Derby County Football Club, I found myself needing at least one more song for inclusion on a projected CD single to accompany the digital download. In the final analysis, I decided on three tracks, including the title track. The third, which I will present in the future, is inspired by the village where we live in Spain, but the second, which I present for your perusal today, is very much a tale based in my hometown of Derby. I have spent most of the last two days writing and recording it. It’s a  tale of disastrous love, set against the backdrop of a number of well-known Derby locations, the “star” of which is The Co-Op Cow. The Cow was a “welcome home” to returning Derbyians, its red neon glow instantly visible on the Skyline. It survived many attempts to remove it, and a petition saved it from the scrapheap some years ago. To be honest I’m not even sure if it still remains, but if it does, surely it’s days are numbered.

The references to “Blesso’s” is a nickname for a popular town centre pub – The Blessington Carriage(where I gigged as a teenager) and “Sadler gate” is a trendy walking street where it used to be possible to browse a wonderful record shop called R.E.Cords, where I got my education. I also used to rehearse above a shop down the same street. Pride Park is of course, Derby’s football ground. Just click on the title to play!

The Co-Op Cow

Meet me beneath the CO-OP Cow
Round about quarter to 10
I know we’ve had problems, I know we’ve had rows
But red neon will light us again

I’d spent my last wages on half melted chocolates
And nicked some wild daffys down Markeaton park
But she still wouldn’t give me the time of the day
So I’m stumped as to handling this romantic lark

We’ve had halves down the Blessos, and I shot some pool
I took her down Sadlergate, bought a kebab
But the fairer sex seems to confuse as a rule
So she legged it when I called a cab

Meet me beneath the CO-OP Cow
Round about quarter to 10
I know we’ve had problems, I know we’ve had rows
But red neon will light us again

The last chance saloon, as I walked up the Morledge
She’d finally agreed to meet up in the town
I waited, and waited, ’til the clock said 5 after
As the Derbyshire rain soaked
The loneliest man in the town

Now I’ll stay out the Blessos, I’ll never play pool
And you’ll never find me down old Sadlergate
Well the Co-op Cow’s big girl, but you are a bigger one
I’m down Pride Park with me mates

Meet me beneath the CO-OP Cow
Round about quarter to 10
I know we’ve had problems, I know we’ve had rows
But red neon will light us again

© Kev Moore Music and lyrics 2009

The Co-op Cow and other songs are available to buy as a digital download from here:

KEV MOORE MYSPACE