It’s safe to say music has gotten us through the first two months of 2021 here at Our Muchness Guide. With many songs that dropped in January featuring on February’s playlist and are still sticking with us into March, today’s post is dedicated to Stephanie Rainey’s latest single ‘No Cowboy’. Stephanie Rainey is one of the most underrated Female Artists in Ireland. She first caught the attention of music lovers near and far when she uploaded her video of ‘Please Don’t Go’ to Facebook which reached over 1 million views in its first 24 hours of being up on the site! She signed a deal with Warners and since then has grown from strength to strength with each release!
Stephanie Rainey is a Cork Native and we are proud here at Our Muchness Guide to call her one of our own! Her music can be described as belonging in the Pop genre but, when you listen to Stephanie’s music, there is no doubt that she has carved her own unique style and sound within the umbrella that is the pop genre. She is one of Ireland’s most played female artists on the radio which is no surprise with songs such as ‘Please Don’t Go’, ‘Question Mark’ and ‘Why Are We Waiting’ dominating the airwaves before ‘No Cowboy’ came onto the scene! When you look at her online streams and social media platforms, it is safe to assume Stephanie is truly a rising star with a combined total of 30 million people and rising have listened to her material. She has played at numerous festivals and sold out gigs throughout Ireland. However, despite numerous success stories it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Stephanie and ‘No Cowboy’ tells that story!
‘No Cowboy’ reflects on misgivings within the music industry. It tells the story of the path to redemption that follows for an artist as they work on picking themselves back up and playing the game that is the Music Industry on their own terms. The song is produced by renowned producer Ash Howes who has previously worked with the likes of Ellie Goulding and One Direction. The song, in my opinion, is Stephanie’s most honest song to date where she doesn’t sugar coat anything that happened and how it was challenging to get to where she is now.
Firstly, we need to talk about the visual representation of the Cowboy. I grew up on Western films thanks to my dad and for understanding this song I like to think others also grew up on this epic genre of movies. From the opening lyrics of the song you can see the image of a Cowboy riding in on his horse to save the day but it never comes to pass. You can hear the devastation and sadness in Stephanie’s voice as the song progresses and, if you are like me, you are going to feel all of the feelings that Stephanie is feeling throughout the song. It is an incredible rollercoaster as the artist and the listener both come to the realization that they are going to have to save themselves from the crushing, harsh moments of life.
I enjoy the simplicity of the instrumental choices during ‘No Cowboy’. The quiet start and finish gives way to a stronger instrumental middle. This use of the instrumental key moments could mirror the inner musings during the time period in Stephanie’s life that this song reflects; a quiet start as she is trying to figure out how to proceed next, the middle representing the feelings as you try to realise how to move forward and ending in a calm as you are one with yourself. This is my own interpretation of the song, listeners can take from the song what they think up themselves but, for me it is a powerful song that I didn’t know I needed to kick off 2021.
The music video was shot while visiting LA in a rather jam packed Hollywood Boulevard which will make you miss when we could all be out and about but make sure you pay attention to the music video as a whole as it truly shows the feelings of the artist of being alone during this part of her musical journey in a world full of people going about their own life in the hopes of finding happiness in their chosen field of work.
On February 19th Stephanie released a stripped back version of ‘No Cowboy’. I honestly thought I couldn’t fall in love with the song anymore but I was proven wrong. Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for stripped back versions of songs and acoustic; Stephanie did not disappoint with this version. Taking away the additional elements of ‘No Cowboy’ to create ‘No Cowboy (Stripped)’ leaves the listener to truly appreciate Stephanie’s vocals and the lyrics that she is singing!
Stephanie has stated that with this new era of music, kicking off with ‘No Cowboy’, her “wish for the new songs is they find the ears that need them. If they do that, I’ll be happy. All I have to offer the world is my version of my truth. To actually connect with what I’m saying, I have to be honest. People will see through me if I don’t, and I’ll see through myself, which is worse.”
What’s next for Stephanie Rainey? She has a new single dropping this month and we will hear her singing on a soundtrack of a film too! ‘No Cowboy’ was the first of four singles to drop this year and I honestly cannot wait for all of them to be out! The only way is up for the Irish singer and honestly I urge you all to give her music a listen and consider buying a ticket to one of her upcoming shows at the end of the year.
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