On July 21, the American comedian and musician Reggie Watts performed his new song on Conan called “I Once Knew A Horse” from his upcoming album Scarves & Cabbages.
Joining Watts on stage amongst barrels of hay was ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Travis Stever of Coheed and Cambria.
Gibbons and Stever strummed a melancholy tune, wearing cowboy hats, while Watts sang in a voice fit for country music. The lyrics also fit the country music genre of losing someone and memories of better times, except instead of singing about a woman, Watts sang about a horse.
The earnest way that Watts sang the song with a soulful voice could have fooled anyone into thinking he was singing about a girl that got away, but the lyrics paint a picture of a horse trotting and galloping.
Many of the lyrics of the song parody what country songs often do: giving warnings about what not to do and instructions on how to keep someone in your life and have a good relationship.
For example, Watts sang: “Did you tie the horse up to a post? Because if you don’t, most likely it’ll just walk away. Did you remember to give hay and water to it? If you don’t, the chances are the horse might not survive the night.”
Watts sang these lyrics seriously as if they are words of wisdom, making the song very funny and the audience at Conan laugh often.
Towards the end of the performance, Watts started playing around with his voice, making noises such as a horse’s trot.
Although silly, the way Watts sincerely delivered the humorous lines made the song “I Once Knew A Horse” very funny.
It will be interesting to see what other songs will be on his new album.
Below you can watch the video of his performance:
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