I just turned on CNN’s Lou Dobbs in the middle of a live report from a correspondent in Texas, standing outside a hall being used to house evacuees. I was just in time to hear the talking head say:
Uh… does anyone have some context for this? I get the reference, of course, but the phrase naturally evokes
It might just be me, but the strongest association I have with that song is Stephen King’s The Stand, and its images of streets full of American dead.
Anyway, why are some evacuees calling for “More cowbell!” if not (as I assume its not) some sort of gallows humour?
There was an SNL skit with Chris Walken as a producer at a Blue Oyster Cult recording session who kept saying “Could we have a little more cowbell?” after every take. I’m not sure how it applies to the evacuees.
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” features a prominent cowbell. SNL’s sketch dealt with this featuring Walken as the record’s producer screaning that he had to have more cowbell.
Actually, I remember that skit now (vaguely). Still can’t see how it relates to the refugees though, unless they were playing SNL inside to entertain them?
The skit was all about an excess of stuff, you see. So, the refugees must be asking for more “More to the more” In other words, “We already have some of what we need. Thank you very much. Please give even more.”
I think I know what it may have been about though: people need more than just food, water, and shelter. Maybe someone has organized some entertainment? Being Texas and all, something country or folky might make sense, and therefore a cowbell may have come into play. I think a natural reaction for many people, on seeing that particular percussive intrument being played, might be to chant “More cowbell!”
Now I’m just going to have to compulsively watch CNN until they repeat the segment, to be sure.
Well, the explanation is actually a simple one: a bell is rung whenever someone is reconnected with their family, hence the chant for “more cowbell”.
Here’s an excerpt from the transcript of the show:
"One of the saddest things we hear so often out here are the number of families that are simply disconnected, been separated because of this tragically. We can tell you right now, SBC Phone and Yahoo! are working inside the Astrodome, trying to connect all of these families together. They’re working with them to get on the Internet, check all the web sites there.
And every time a family member is connected, they ring a bell. So the chant going up with the smiles is more cow bell coming out of here – Lou. "
Am I being whooshed on the no-whoosh explanation? Or do/did you really think several thousand evacuees were simultaneously chanting a Saturday Night Live-based metaphor? Because if so, I’ve got a fever…
Hah ha! Fuckin’ classic! Made my wife laugh with that very line while at the grocery store last week, never realizing it would come up again this way, so soon.
