Three very distinct but relatively well-known versions of the song exist. The original iteration was recorded with the band's regular bassist
Stuart Zender and uses a
slap bass technique during the chorus. This version is commonly known as the "Stoned Again Mix" and was largely the version played on radio when the single was released. The full "Stoned Again Mix" was a B-side on the 12" vinyl single, and a shorter “radio edit” based on the "Stoned Again Mix" is the version included on the band's 'Greatest Hits' album,
High Times: Singles 1992–2006. A lengthy rendition of this version is usually the one performed live, sometimes extended to as much as twelve minutes with additional instrumental parts, including wind instruments not on any recorded version. The album version is noticeably different; it is considerably longer with a different bassline played not by Stuart Zender but by an artist credited as "Mr. X" in the album sleeve notes. Years later, Zender himself revealed on
Instagram that the bass player who played on the song was Paul Powell; however, he affirmed that he wrote the original ("Stoned Again Mix") bassline himself. Thirdly, a
house-style remix by
David Morales, known as the 'Classic Club Remix' became popular in clubs and appears on many dance/club compilations. This appeared on the US single release and a shorter 'Classic Radio' edit was a B-side on the British CD single release of "
Virtual Insanity".
David Guetta's song "
Stay (Don't Go Away)", featuring
Raye, samples this remix. In April 2024, nearly 30 years after its original mix,
Michael Gray released an official remix of "Space Cowboy". "Space Cowboy" is a frequently covered song, with two notable cover versions: one by
Jazzamor, and one by the band Jacarandaa.
Cowboy Bebop scriptwriter
Keiko Nobumoto said in an interview that the song "Space Cowboy" was one of the inspirations for Cowboy Bebop. ==Critical reception==