# NO evacuees in TX: "More cowbell!" WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426 "2005-09-06T22:35:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/1 "2005-09-06T22:35:30Z")
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: > [@](#): > > Talking Head:The chant going up from these evacuees is “More cowbell!” Lou? > > Lou Dobbs: It’s good to hear some cheerful news coming out of this. Thanks. Uh… does anyone have some context for this? I get the reference, of course, but the phrase naturally evokes > [@Blue Oyster Cult](#): > > All our times have come > But now they’re gone > Seasons don’t fear the Reaper > Nor do the wind the sun or the rain - we can be like they are > Come on Mary - don’t fear the Reaper > Baby take my hand - don’t fear the Reaper 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? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/2 "2005-09-06T22:39:04Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/3 "2005-09-06T22:41:47Z")
😕 What does ‘more cowbell’ mean? What does it have to do with BOC? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/4 "2005-09-06T22:45:41Z")
“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. One the best sketches they’ve ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/5 "2005-09-06T22:49:39Z")
Here’s a [link to the video](http://gorillamask.net/morecowbell.shtml), **Johnny**. Class. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/6 "2005-09-06T23:08:42Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Here’s a [link to the video](http://gorillamask.net/morecowbell.shtml), **Johnny**. Class. Dial-up connection here. Thanks, though. 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? ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/7 "2005-09-06T23:12:32Z")
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 am the only one who gets this? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/8 "2005-09-06T23:31:54Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > 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 am the only one who gets this? :dubious: Um, whoosh? I have no idea what you are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/9 "2005-09-06T23:35:58Z")
The whole thing was a lot funnier when it was less popular. Now my “More Cowbell” t-shirt is comparable to those damn filthy “Vote for Pedro” ones. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/10 "2005-09-06T23:40:23Z")
No, it is not a whoosh. Let me try to restate. In the skit, There is already enough cowbell. However, more is introduced. Thus, the people are saying “We already have food, water, and shelter. Now we ask for you to open your hearts and give even more.” Let me quote from [The Cowbell Project](http://www.geekspeakweekly.com/cowbell/) > [@](#): > > Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys. The foundation of rock music. Occasionally strings are used to give a lush, orchestral feel. But we all know when a song needs that extra oomph, that extra push over the top, there’s only one thing that will satisfy: The Cowbell. > > It’s the cymbal’s evil third cousin. It’s the dark ring that pounds in the back of your brain and lets you know, it’s time to rock. The cowbell is an instrument that can’t be overused. It should never be underused. Many great rock and roll songs are perfect because the cowbell is used just right. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/11 "2005-09-07T00:17:34Z")
Sorry, **Scott** – that doesn’t make a lot of sense. 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. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/12 "2005-09-07T01:08:23Z")
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. " [Link to the transcript](http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/06/ldt.01.html) (I’m not sure how long the transcripts stay up). ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/13 "2005-09-07T01:28:26Z")
Ahh… Thank you, **KSO**. Well then. More cowbell! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/14 "2005-09-07T01:41:25Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Ahh… Thank you, **KSO**. > > Well then. More cowbell! We’re all going to be wearing golden diapers. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/15 "2005-09-07T01:47:20Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > We’re all going to be wearing golden diapers. I can’t wait! ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/16 "2005-09-07T01:50:20Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > No, it is not a whoosh. Let me try to restate. > > In the skit, There is already enough cowbell. However, more is introduced. > > Thus, the people are saying “We already have food, water, and shelter. Now we ask for you to open your hearts and give even more.” > > Let me quote from [The Cowbell Project](http://www.geekspeakweekly.com/cowbell/) 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… ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/17 "2005-09-07T01:51:13Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > 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… Never question **Scott Plaid**. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/18 "2005-09-07T01:53:34Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > 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… No, without any other explanation, it really seemed the the best explination for why they would be saying it. Btw, I stopped off at the farmer’s marmet, and I brought pie. Crow pie. I’ve eaten most of it. ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/19 "2005-09-07T02:55:12Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > 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… … and the only cure is _more cowbell_, baby! 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. But, yes: we need more cowbell! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426/20 "2005-09-07T03:12:32Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > Btw, I stopped off at the farmer’s marmet, and I brought pie. Crow pie. I’ve eaten most of it. I think you meant “farmer’s marmot”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-evacuees-in-tx-more-cowbell-wtf/320426.md?page=2)