"No More Buffalo" is a song by James McMurtry which reflects on the loss of the American frontier and the end of the American dream. The song describes a group of friends traveling across the Colorado plains in a Cadillac, reminiscing about their youth and the hopes they had for their future. As they journey, they realize that the things they once hoped for are no longer attainable. The buffalo and the open road are gone, replaced by suburban sprawl and the noise of modern life. The song is a lament for a lost way of life, a time when the American dream was still within reach. The lyrics also contain a warning about chasing after unrealistic dreams. McMurtry cautions against wasting energy striving for things that are unattainable, saying that sometimes it's better to "let [the carrot] dangle 'til it falls off that stick" and to "make your move" at the right time. Overall, "No More Buffalo" is a powerful commentary on the changing face of America and the need to adapt to new realities while holding onto the past. It is a poignant reminder of the price of progress and a call to cherish the things that we still have.
