Review: The Darkness’ single ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’

By Hattan Savage, Rock At Night Nashville

Review: The Darkness’ single/video “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy”– April 7, 2025

Dan Hawkins and Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. Photo by Chyrisse.

You know what they say: it’s all in the name. “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy,” the opening track on The Darkness’s most recent album Dreams on Toast, sets the stage for the swagger-soaked record. The band’s lineup features four members — brothers Justin Hawkins (vocals and guitar) and Dan Hawkins (guitar), along with Rufus ‘Tiger’ Taylor (son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor) on drums and Frankie Poullain on bass. The song kicks off with Justin Hawkins’s electrifying vocals singing:

Leather jacket, no sleeves // Harley Davidson, yes please // Zippo lighter, Marlboro Reds // Jack Daniels, big party

The song progresses, feeding you more rock & roll essentials, and by the end, you’ve got a rock & roll bible to live by.

As if the lyrics didn’t deliver enough vivid imagery, The Darkness doubled down by releasing a music video for “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” that can only be described as a sex, drugs, and rock & roll fever dream. White tigers, UFOs, and mechanical bulls keep the chaos going, while fireworks and neon signs light up the all-night party. Fans of fast and loud rock & roll bangers — saddle up for an overdose of eye candy.