Western Nights (song)

"**Western Nights**" is a song by Ethel Cain, written and produced by herself. It is featured as the fourth track from Cain's debut studio album, *Preacher's Daughter*.

## Background

On August 28, 2018, the first demo version was shared via YouTube. On August 30, 2018, Ethel shared a short acoustic demo of the song via Tumblr. In June 2022, Ethel shared another demo version with alternative lyrics. The last change to the track file was made in December 2019.

On December 31, 2022, an instrumental and a capella of the song leaked.

## Theme

This song offers sonic commentary on the tumultuous relationship with Ethel's new partner, Logan Phelps, with the singer committing to stand by them through anything, no matter the desperation and fear she feels and how little she has left to give to a counterpart so unstable. Logan is less than kind, at times violent, but Ethel finds herself hopelessly in love with him despite his faults.

## **Official versions**

* Album version — 6:05
	+ Instrumental version — 6:05
	+ A capella — 6:05
* Demo 1 version — 7:29
* Demo 2 version — 7:11
* Acoustic demo version — 1:10

## Lyrics

### Album version

[Verse 1]

He's never looked more beautiful

On his Harley in the parking lot

Breaking in to the ATMs

Sleeping naked when it gets too hot

I watched him show his love through shades of black and blue

Starting fights at the bar across the street like you do

The neighbors beat on the walls while I'm face-first in the bed

Show me how much I mean to you, while I'm lying in these sheets undressed

[Pre-Chorus]

I'd hold the gun if you asked me to

But if you love me like you say you do

Would you ask me to

[Chorus]

Trouble's always gonna find you baby

But so will I

Crying only because I'm happy

Hold me across every state line

I'm never gonna leave you baby

Even if you lose what's left of your mind

'Cause you know I'll be right there beside you

Riding through all these western nights

[Verse 2]

I haven't spoken to my daddy in a long, long time

I don't want him to worry, always wondering if I'm alright

But the neighborhood keeps getting smaller

All starved out when the money's paper thin

All that's left are your walls and you'll die there

I should have known that there's no getting in

[Chorus]

Trouble's always gonna find you baby

But so will I

Crying only because I'm happy

Hold me across every state line

I'm never gonna leave you baby

Even if you lose what's left of your mind

'Cause you know I'll still be right behind you

Riding through all these western nights

[Outro]

Through these western nights

Crying in the light of the TV static

I'll still be alright

Clinging onto you like some love blind addict

I'll be screaming your name

Past the gas stations, trailing down the interstate

Please don't love how I need you

And know that one day, you and I could be ok

### Demo version

[Verse 1]

He's never looked more beautiful

On his Harley in the parking lot

Breaking into the ATMs

Sleeping naked when he gets too hot

I love you most when you're up inside me

Baby I get so scared, won't you hide me?

[Verse 2]

My baby shows his love in shades of black and blue

Starting fights at the bar across the street

Like you do

The neighbors beat on the wall

While I'm face-first in the bed

Show me how much I mean to you

While I'm lying in these sheets undressed

I'd hold the gun if you asked me to

But if you love me like you say you do

Would you ask me to?

[Pre-Chorus]

Trouble's always gonna find you baby

But so am I

Crying only because I'm happy

Hold me across every state line

[Chorus]

I'm never gonna leave you, baby

Even if you lose what's left of your mind

Cause I love you more than all these stars out here

We lie under on these western nights

[Verse 3]

I haven't spoken to my daddy

In a long, long time

I don't want him to worry, but he knows I'll be alright

I never listen to my mother

When she told me to take care of myself

I was just so in love with you

My mind was somewhere else

[Pre-Chorus]

Trouble's always gonna find you baby

But so am I

Crying only because I'm happy

Hold me across every state line

[Chorus]

I'm never gonna lose you, baby

Even if you lose what's left of your mind

Cause I love you more than all these stars out here

Underneath these western skies

[Verse 4]

Through these western nights

Crying in the light of the TV static

I'll still be alright

Clinging onto you like some love-blind addict

I'll be screaming your name

Past the gas station trailing down the interstate

Maybe one of these days

We might not be good, but we'll be okay

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Q\_hxJokVQ
2. ↑ https://mothercain.tumblr.com/post/177574042501/i-decided-to-pick-up-the-guitar-again-i-havent
3. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Ethelcain/comments/vaov29/preachers\_daughter\_original\_demos/
4. ↑ https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/ethel-cain-preachers-daughter
5. ↑ https://genius.com/Ethel-cain-western-nights-lyrics