Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat
[Disney] Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, little lady, let me illusidate here
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat
Who knows were it's at
Tom:
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete.
strickly high button shoes.
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
Skat:
Everytime he plays
Tom:
Tom:
But with a square in the act
You can set music back
Skat:
To the cave man days, cha cha ba dum bo day
Tom:
I've heard some corny birds who who tried to sing
Skat:
Still a cat's the only cat who knows how to swing
Bass:
Who wants to dig a long haired gig or stuff like that
Tom:
When everybody wants to be a cat
Tom and Skat:
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
Everytime he plays
Tom:
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
Tom and Skat:
With a square in the act you can set music back
To the cave man days
Marie:
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
Tom:
Yes
M & T:
Everybody wants to be a cat
Beause a cats the only cat who knows where it's at
While playin' jazz you always have a welcom mat
'Cause everybody digs a swinging cat.
Drummer cat:
Oh boy fellas, lets rock this joint!
Cat playing cello:
Ha ha groovy cats!
Piano cat:
Shanghai, Honk Kong, Egg Foo Yong.
Fortune cookie always wrong.
That's a hot one!
(Harp begins)
Duchess:
If you want to turn me on,
Play your horn don't spare the tone,
and blow a little soul into the tune.
T:
Lets take it to another key.
Skat:
Modulate, and wait for me.
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon.
T:
The other cats will all commence
Congregating on the fence.
Underneath the alley's only light.
Duchess:
Where every note is out of sight.
(Jazz music begins again)
S & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Skat:
Halejuah!
S & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Everybody, everybody, everybody now
This song, from Disney's animated film "The Aristocats," is all about the coolness and freedom associated with being a cat, primarily from a musical perspective. The lyrics of the song suggest that everyone wants to be a cat because the cat is the only creature who really knows how to swing and play jazz music properly. The song also highlights the idea that traditional music, like that of a square with a horn or long-haired gigs, is outdated and uncool. The musicians in the song are seen enjoying themselves and feeling free to play music that is unique to them, showing how being a cat in this context represents freedom from rigid norms.
The song is full of clever and humorous wordplay, such as the line "illustidate" instead of "elucidate," and the invented words "cha cha ba dum bo day" which add to the song's playful tone. The song also utilizes various musical techniques, such as modulation and ad-libs, showing the expertise and skill of the musicians performing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, little lady, let me illusidate here
The singer wants to explain something important to the person they're talking to
Everybody wants to be a cat
Cats are cool and everyone wants to be as awesome as them
Because a cat's the only cat
Other animals are not as unique as cats
Who knows were it's at
Cats always know what's cool and current
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
People are starting to appreciate cat-like qualities more and more
'Cause everything else is obsolete.
Non-cat things are no longer cool or relevant
strickly high button shoes.
A certain style of shoe that is out of fashion
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
A person who doesn't appreciate cat-like qualities ruins everything with their outdated ways
Everytime he plays
Whenever that person does their outdated thing
But with a square in the act
If that person is included in the cool cat things
You can set music back
They ruin everything with their lack of cat-ness
To the cave man days, cha cha ba dum bo day
Things become extremely outdated and uncool
I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
People who don't have the coolness of cats also try to be cool
Still a cat's the only cat who knows how to swing
Only cats are truly cool and know how to be cool
Who wants to dig a long haired gig or stuff like that
People don't want to be associated with non-cool things
When everybody wants to be a cat
Cats are in and everyone wants to be like them
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
This person is still uncool and ruins everything
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
A certain sound that is associated with uncoolness
With a square in the act you can set music back
This person is extremely uncool and negatively affects everything
To the cave man days
Things become extremely outdated and uncool
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
That uncool sound again
Yes
Agreement or affirmation
Everybody wants to be a cat
Still cool and in demand
Beause a cats the only cat who knows where it's at
Cats are always cool and on trend
While playin' jazz you always have a welcom mat
Cool cat things are inclusive and welcoming to everyone
'Cause everybody digs a swinging cat.
Being cool and cat-like is universally appreciated
Oh boy fellas, lets rock this joint!
Let's party and have fun
Ha ha groovy cats!
Hilarious and cool cats
Shanghai, Honk Kong, Egg Foo Yong.
Random phrases that sound cool
Fortune cookie always wrong.
A joke about fortune cookies
That's a hot one!
Very cool or impressive
(Harp begins)
Change in musical direction
If you want to turn me on,
If you want me to be into this
Play your horn don't spare the tone,
Do the cool things without holding back
and blow a little soul into the tune.
Bring passion and energy to the music
Lets take it to another key.
Let's change things up a bit
Modulate, and wait for me.
Change things up and I'll join you
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon.
I'll improvise a bit and join in
The other cats will all commence
Others will follow our lead
Congregating on the fence.
Come together to listen to the cool music
Underneath the alley's only light.
In a cool and slightly hidden place
Where every note is out of sight.
The music is so good that everything else disappears
(Jazz music begins again)
Back to the cool and swinging music
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Cats are still really cool and everyone wants to be like them
Halejuah!
Expression of excitement and joy
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Cats are just so cool
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
I mean, who wouldn't want to be a cat?
Everybody, everybody, everybody now
Everyone agrees that cats are the coolest
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Floyd Huddleston, Al Rinker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katiefedele1813
If your party isn't this lit, don't invite me.
@KaylaJohnson1995
Katie Fedele time to get some cats lmao
@wat3rg0ddess
If I go to a party....there has got to be a cat who plays the trumpet or I'm out. XD
@sengler1991
Right 😂
@enoch3874
"That's not real music and I'm just shouting and screaming but that's how your supposed to at an anarchist meeting " what? I cant like aristocats and discharge at the sametime?
@russia4823
Well then come over my guy the party’s I throw are completely like dis
@Angelnychole
So when you hear the cats late at night yowling and fighting. They’re really just singing
@anothernuzzle2818
Or having sex
@inkstar7521
You’re just not cat enough to hear the music
@kylemendoza8860
@@anothernuzzle2818
In the cat world is not really a difference between the two.